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nag
1[ nag ]
/ nĂŠg /
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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: His constant nagging finally got the best of me and I lost my temper.
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Origin of nag
1First recorded in 1820â30; from Old Norse nagga âto rub, grumble, quarrelâ; akin to Middle Low German naggen âto irritateâ; see gnaw
OTHER WORDS FROM nag
un·nagged, adjectiveWords nearby nag
Other definitions for nag (2 of 2)
nag2
[ nag ]
/ nĂŠg /
noun
an old, inferior, or worthless horse.
Slang. any horse, especially a racehorse.
a small riding horse or pony.
Origin of nag
2First recorded in 1400â50; late Middle English nag(ge); connected with Dutch neg(ge) âsmall horse,â of obscure origin; said to be akin to neigh
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use nag in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for nag (1 of 2)
nag1
/ (nĂŠÉĄ) /
verb nags, nagging or nagged
to scold or annoy constantly
(when intr, often foll by at) to be a constant source of discomfort or worry (to)toothache nagged him all day
noun
a person, esp a woman, who nags
Derived forms of nag
nagger, nounnaggingly, adverbWord Origin for nag
C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw, irritate, German nagen
British Dictionary definitions for nag (2 of 2)
nag2
/ (nĂŠÉĄ) /
noun
often derogatory a horse
a small riding horse
Word Origin for nag
C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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