nag

1 of 3

verb

ˈnag 

nagged; nagging

transitive verb

1

: to irritate by constant scolding or urging

2

: badger, worry

intransitive verb

1

: to find fault incessantly : complain

2

: to be a persistent source of annoyance or distraction

nagger noun

nag

2 of 3

noun (1)

: one who nags habitually

nag

3 of 3

noun (2)

: horse

especially : one that is old or in poor condition

Synonyms

Verb

• dog
• henpeck
• hound
• needle
• peck (at)

Noun (2)

• equine
• horse
• steed

Examples of nag in a Sentence

Verb

Mom's always nagging me about my hair.

All you ever do is nag.

My parents are always nagging me to clean my room.

He kept nagging her until she agreed to see the movie.

Quit nagging! I already said I'm not going.

Noun (2)

a poor farmer who could only afford one old nag

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Across all industries, the most major concerns were data security and cost accuracy, nagging 46 percent and 43 percent of leaders, respectively. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 10 July 2024

Later, when the nurturing Moon bothers fiery Mars, frustration may nag at us to give up. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 July 2024

Noun

In the earliest and most predictable part of the show, the half-dozen Thoughts are a chorus line of nags operating from a hive mind of self-hostility. —Chris Willman, Variety, 28 June 2024

Still, the question suggested by the book’s title nags: What should economists and policymakers have learned from the crisis and its aftermath? —Alan S. Blinder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2015

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse nagga to moan, complain

Noun (2)

Middle English nagge; akin to Dutch negge small horse

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1925, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nag

1 of 3 noun

ˈnag 

: horse entry 1 sense 1a

especially : a horse that is old and in poor condition

nag

2 of 3 verb

nagged; nagging

1

: to annoy by repeated faultfinding, scolding, or urging

kept nagging me to let her come

always nags him to clean his room

2

: to cause (someone) to feel annoyed or worried for a long period of time

a problem that nagged at her

nagger noun

nag

3 of 3 noun

: a person who frequently nags

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nagge "horse"

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin