Definition
Badger refers to a small, burrowing mammal with short legs, sharp claws, and a distinctive striped face. It can also refer to someone who persistently annoys or pesters another person with repeated requests or questions.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Badger can be used as a noun or a verb.
Synonyms
Hound, harass, pester, annoy, bother, plague, irritate, trouble, nag.
Antonyms
Ignore, neglect, leave alone, avoid.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | badgers, badgerers, badger, badgerer |
| Verb | badgered, badgers, badgering, badger |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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Despite repeatedly telling her that she wasn’t interested, he continued to badger her with unwanted phone calls and messages.
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The persistent salesperson would not take no for an answer and continued to badger the customer to buy the product.
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The paparazzi would constantly badger the celebrity, invading their privacy and relentlessly seeking photographs and interviews.
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The boss would frequently badger the employees, constantly criticizing their work and demanding unrealistic deadlines.
Usage
Badger is a word with two distinct meanings that are not directly related. The first meaning is a small mammal with distinct black and white stripes on its face. Badgers are known for their burrowing habits and are found in various parts of the world. The word “badger” is thought to have originated from the Old French word “becheur,” which means “digger.”
The second meaning of badger is someone who persistently bothers or annoys another person with repeated requests or questions. The word can be used as a verb, as in “She badgered me all day for my report,” or as a noun, as in “He’s such a badger, always nagging me about the same thing.” This usage of badger likely comes from the animal’s tendency to dig and burrow persistently.
Badger can also be used with various prefixes and suffixes to change its meaning or emphasis. For example, the prefix “un-” can be added to create the word “unbadger,” which means to stop pestering or bothering someone. Similarly, the suffix “-ing” can be added to create “badgering,” which means the act of persistently pestering or bothering someone.
In conclusion, badger is a versatile word that can be used to describe both a small, burrowing mammal and someone who persistently annoys or pesters another person. With its various prefixes and suffixes, the word can be used in different contexts to convey different meanings or emphasis.