English Dictionary

Definition of “nag”

Browse the English dictionary (A-Z)

1nag1 (næɡPronunciation for nag1) 

Definitions

verb

Word forms: nags, nagging, nagged
  1. to scold or annoy constantly
  2.  when intr, often foll by at to be a constant source of discomfort or worry (to)  ⇒ toothache nagged him all day 

noun

  1. a person, esp a woman, who nags

Alternative Forms

ˈnagger noun ˈnaggingly adverb

Word Origin

C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga  to gnaw, irritate, German nagen

2nag2 (næɡPronunciation for nag2) 

Definitions

noun

  1. often derogatory a horse
  2. a small riding horse

Word Origin

C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh

Translations

  • British English: nag Pronunciation for nag If someone nags you, or if they nag, they keep asking you to do something you have not done yet or do not want to do.My girlfriend nagged me to cut my hair. The child learns that if they nag and moan loud enough they will get their own way.næɡ VERB My girlfriend nagged me to cut my hair. The child learns that if they nag and moan loud enough they will get their own way.
  • Spanish: dar la lataPronunciation for dar la lata v
  • French: tarabuster Pronunciation for tarabuster vt
  • German: herumnörgeln Pronunciation for herumnörgeln v
  • Chinese: 唠叨Pronunciation for 唠叨 v
  • Arabic: يُزعِجُ إِزْعَاجَاً مُتَّصِلاًPronunciation for يُزعِجُ إِزْعَاجَاً مُتَّصِلاً v
  • Portuguese: apoquentarPronunciation for apoquentar v
  • Russian: придиратьсяPronunciation for придираться v
  • Croatian: neprestano prigovaratiPronunciation for neprestano prigovarati v
  • Czech: sekýrovatPronunciation for sekýrovat v
  • Danish: plagePronunciation for plage v
  • Dutch: zeurenPronunciation for zeuren v
  • Finnish: nalkuttaaPronunciation for nalkuttaa v
  • Greek: γκρινιάζωPronunciation for γκρινιάζω v
  • Italian: criticarePronunciation for criticare v
  • Japanese: がみがみ小言を言うPronunciation for がみがみ小言を言う v
  • Korean: 잔소리하다Pronunciation for 잔소리하다 v
  • Norwegian: masePronunciation for mase v
  • Polish: gderaćPronunciation for gderać v
  • Brazilian Portuguese: apoquentarPronunciation for apoquentar v
  • European Spanish: dar la lataPronunciation for dar la lata v
  • Swedish: tjataPronunciation for tjata v
  • Thai: จ้องจับผิดPronunciation for จ้องจับผิด v
  • Turkish: dırdır etmekPronunciation for dırdır etmek v
  • Vietnamese: đay nghiếnPronunciation for đay nghiến v

Usage examples

  • But Fellah stopped a couple of steps above me, some doubt begining to nag at him.
    Brierley, David, Skorpion's Death (1985)
  • The so-called National Agenda for Governance ( nag ) said the so-called national government would evolve a national water policy.
    India Today (1998)
  • Those who want governments that only do what governments can do, and who don't want governments that nag and nanny them.
    canada.com (2005)
  • The only approach we or his teachers have tried is to nag him constantly, to no effect.
    Times, Sunday Times (2001)
  • If I didn't nag her to get in the bath she'd never get in the bath.
    Williams, John, Bloody Valentine, A Killing in Cardiff (1994)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'N'

Related Terms

0 results

Browse nearby words

Browse dictionary