nark

¹ American  

[nahrk] / nɑrk /

noun

1. British Slang. a stool pigeon or informer.

2. Australian Slang. an annoying person.

---

verb (used without object)

1. British Slang. to act as a police informer or stool pigeon.

2. Australian Slang. to become annoyed.

nark ² American  

[nahrk] / nɑrk /

noun

Slang.

1. a variant of narc.

---

nark British  

/ nɑːk /

noun

1. an informer or spy, esp one working for the police ( copper's nark )

2. a person who complains irritatingly

   an old nark

3. a spoilsport

---

verb

1. to annoy, upset, or irritate

   he was narked by her indifference

2. (intr) to inform or spy, esp for the police

3. (intr) to complain irritatingly

4. to nag someone

5. stop it!

Etymology

Origin of nark¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Romani word nāk, nak, nok “nose”; akin to Sanskrit nāsā “nose”; the r is unexplained; see origin at nose ( def. )

Origin of nark²

First recorded in 1875–80; of uncertain origin, perhaps from Romani nakh “nose,” later conflated with narc ( def. )

Example Sentences

Jason Nark is a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and a freelance writer.

From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2021

Jason Nark is a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

From Washington Post • Mar. 29, 2019

Jason Nark is a reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

From Washington Post • Dec. 3, 2018

On a recent day trip to Fire Island, she paired a vintage Mark Wong Nark dress with a new Jacquemus straw hat.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2018

The searchlight from the Nark was playing full upon the scene.

From The Radio Boys with the Revenue Guards by Breckenridge, Gerald

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy