nag
UK[næɡ]US[næɡ]
v
To annoy or irritate someone by constantly complaining or asking them to do something.
v
To worry or cause slight pain or discomfort to someone persistently.
n
A person who nags.
Etymology
The verb 'nag' likely originates from a Scandinavian source, such as the Old Norse 'gnaga', meaning 'to gnaw, complain'. This term entered the English language in the late Middle English period. The core concept of persistent, irritating action—whether physical gnawing or verbal complaining—remains central to its meaning. Over time, the word's application broadened from literal gnawing to describe the figurative act of persistent fault-finding or pestering, a semantic shift that highlights the wearisome and repetitive nature of the action.
Analysis
The word 'nag' is a simplex word of Scandinavian origin. It functions as a complete lexical unit and cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes based on its modern English spelling.
Examples
She didn't want to nag her son about cleaning his room.
A sense of guilt continued to nag at him long after the decision was made.
He's turned into a real nag about punctuality.