nag
1[nag]
verb (used with object), nagged, nag·ging.
to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands.
to keep in a state of troubled awareness or anxiety, as a recurrent pain or problem: She had certain misgivings that nagged her.
verb (used without object), nagged, nag·ging.
to find fault or complain in an irritating, wearisome, or relentless manner (often followed by at): If they start nagging at each other, I'm going home.
to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. (often followed by at): This headache has been nagging at me all day.
noun
Also nagger. a person who nags, especially habitually.
an act or instance of nagging.
Origin of nag
11815–25; < Old Norse nagga to rub, grumble, quarrel; akin to Middle Low German naggen to irritate. See gnaw
Synonyms for nag
nag
2[nag]
noun
Origin of nag
21350–1400; late Middle English nagge; connected with Dutch neg(ge) small horse, itself attested late and of obscure origin; said to be akin to neigh
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for nag
annoy, fuss, tease, pester, scold, irritate, berate, hector, irk, torment, vex, hound, badger, urge, prod, nudge, ride, needle, dog, importuneExamples from the Web for nag
Historical Examples of nag
Just the nag I want, Mr. Whittlesey; only I've no ready cash to pay for him.
If I tell you what I want to, will you promise not to pitch into me, and not to nag and poke fun?
Cap'n EriJoseph Crosby Lincoln
I says, 'anything from plowing to threshing and nicking a nag's tail,' I says.
A Son of HagarSir Hall Caine
The poor ruffler was fallen into meditation, and noted not that his nag did no more than amble.
The Tavern KnightRafael Sabatini
I heard that you were last seen eloping with Tim and my nag Bill.
Mixed FacesRoy Norton
nag
1verb nags, nagging or nagged
noun
Word Origin for nag
C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw, irritate, German nagen
nag
2noun
Word Origin for nag
C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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