How to pronounce nag
Say it like NAG. Nag is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nag. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAG
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nag pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of nag
American and British speakers say nag in essentially the same way: /næɡ/ in the US and /næɡ/ in the UK.
British respelling: NAG.
What does nag mean?
- To repeatedly remind or complain to (someone) in an annoying way, often about insignificant or unnecessary matters.
- 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 small horse; a pony.
- An old, useless horse.
- Someone or something that nags.
- A repeated complaint or reminder.
- A persistent, bothersome thought or worry.
Where does nag come from?
From Middle English nagg, nage, nagge (“horse, small riding horse, pony”), cognate with Dutch negge, neg (“horse”), German Nickel (“small horse”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with nag
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nag.
Questions about saying nag
How do you pronounce nag?
Say NAG. The American pronunciation is /næɡ/. In British English it is /næɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nag?
Nag is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: NAG.
Do Americans and Brits say nag the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /næɡ/ and the British form is /næɡ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.