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nag

C2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /nˈæɡ/

US

  • /ˈnæɡ/

Meanings

Verb

  1. to keep bothering someone with repeated complaints, criticism, or reminders

Noun

  1. a person who habitually nags or scolds others

  2. an old or worn-out horse

Beyond the definition

Imagine your little brother asking for a new video game again and again, not just once or twice, but so often that it starts to wear you down. That is what it means to nag. To nag someone is to keep bothering them with the same questions, requests, or complaints. It is more than a simple reminder; it feels pushy and annoying. A parent might nag a child about cleaning their room, or a friend might nag someone to finish a project. Even when the intention is good, it usually feels frustrating and unwelcome.

Examples

  1. 1

    Annoyed request

    Please don't nag me while I'm trying to finish this.

  2. 2

    Family reminders

    My parents keep nagging me about my messy room.

    • Patternnag someone about + issue

      keep complaining or reminding them about it

  3. 3

    Health reminder

    She nagged him to make a doctor's appointment.

    • Patternnag someone to do X

      keep telling someone to do it

  4. 4

    Deadline request

    I'm not trying to nag; I just need an answer by Friday.

More examples
  1. 5

    Physical symptom

    A nagging cough kept him awake most of the night.

  2. 6

    Worry

    I had a nagging feeling that I had forgotten something.

    • Phrasea nagging feeling/doubt/worry

      a thought that keeps bothering you

  3. 7

    Insulting noun

    After the third reminder, he snapped, "Stop being such a nag."

    • Cautiona nag

      someone who nags; usually unkind

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • nag someone about something
  • nag someone to do something
  • stop nagging

Word family

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Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • nagnounverb

Forms

  • nagging-ing formverbnoun
  • nagspluralnounverb
  • naggedpast tenseverbnoun