- present participle of nag.
nagging
Americanadjective
-
continually faultfinding, complaining, or petulant.
a nagging parent.
-
persistently recurring; unrelenting.
a nagging backache.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nagging
Explanation
Something that's nagging really bothers you — whether it's your nagging older sister, reminding you to take out the trash, or a nagging headache that lingers all day. A nagging boss might continually complain about your work — you could also describe her as "overcritical" or "faultfinding." When a physical pain or discomfort is nagging, it's just as disagreeable, tormenting or irritating you in an ongoing way, like a nagging pain in your lower back. The source of nagging is nag, which originally meant "gnaw or bite."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Highlighting a nagging consumption slump, China's retail sales grew at a slower pace in July, official data showed on Monday.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
For Musk, it’s a nagging reminder that he’s back in grind mode, having to deliver on all of his highflying promises for SpaceX’s performance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
But there was only so much he could do in the middle of the season, while playing through nagging ankle issues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
But Henry was superb, nagging away with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell up to the stumps.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
But there was something nagging deep inside of me that grew stronger by the moment.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
