Langimage
English

nagging

|nag/ging|

B2

/ˈnæɡɪŋ/

(nag)

persistent annoyance

Base FormPresent3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNoun
nagnaggingnagsnaggednaggednaggingnagger
Etymology
Etymology Information

'nag' originates from Scandinavian, specifically the word 'nagga', where 'nag-' meant 'to gnaw or nibble'.

Historical Evolution

'nagga' transformed into the Middle English word 'naggen', and eventually became the modern English word 'nag'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to gnaw or nibble', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to annoy or irritate persistently'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

present participle of 'nag'.

He kept nagging his brother to clean up.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 1

persistently annoying or worrying.

She had a nagging feeling that she had forgotten something.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42