verb
Uncommon
nag
NAG
Nag (verb) means to repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way. Example: “She kept nagging him to clean his room.”
verb
1
To repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way.
"She kept nagging him to clean his room."
"Stop nagging me about the deadline — I know it's tomorrow."
2
To trouble someone persistently, as a worry or doubt does.
"A nagging feeling told her something was wrong."
noun
1
An old or worn-out horse.
"The farmer still kept the old nag in the field long after it stopped working."
How to use nag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep bothering someone with repeated reminders or complaints — or, as a noun, an old horse.
Common pairings
nag someone about
a nagging doubt
stop nagging
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Word forms
- Plural
- nags
- Third person singular
- nags
- Past tense
- nagged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer still kept the old _____ in the field long after it stopped working.
Etymology
From Middle English nagge, meaning a small horse or pony, possibly related to "neigh."
Related words
Rhymes for nag
See all rhymes for nag →Frequently asked questions
What does “nag” mean?
The word “nag” means to repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way. In plain terms, to keep bothering someone with repeated reminders or complaints — or, as a noun, an old horse.
How do you pronounce “nag”?
“Nag” is pronounced NAG (/ˈnæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nag” in a sentence?
Here is “nag” used in a sentence: “She kept nagging him to clean his room.”
What part of speech is “nag”?
Depending on how it is used, “nag” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “nag” come from?
The word “nag” comes from Middle English. From Middle English nagge, meaning a small horse or pony, possibly related to "neigh.".
Is “nag” a common word?
“Nag” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nag” have?
“Nag” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way.
