nag

1 syllable · also nagged, nagging

Quick answer

As a noun, nag means a small horse. As a verb, it means repeatedly remind or complain to (someone) in an annoying way, often about insignificant or unnecessary matters.

Meanings of nag

13 meanings

noun

A small horse; a pony.
An old, useless horse.
Someone or something that nags.
A repeated complaint or reminder.
A persistent, bothersome thought or worry.
Someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding faultperson
Similar: scold, scolder, nagger, common scold
An old or over-worked horseanimal
Similar: hack, jade, plug

Older and rare meanings (1)

obsoletederogatoryA paramour.

Misspelling of knack.

verb

To repeatedly remind or complain to (someone) in an annoying way, often about insignificant or unnecessary matters.
“Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda! (From Amanda! by Robin Klein)”
To bother with persistent thoughts or memories.
“The notion that he forgot something nagged him the rest of the day.”
To bother or disturb persistently in any way.
“a nagging pain in his left knee”
“a nagging north wind”
Bother persistently with trivial complaints
“She nags her husband all day long”
Similar: peck, hen-peck
Remind or urge constantly
“she nagged to take a vacation”