Word
badger
Phoneticsbad·ger, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbædʒɝ/
UK/bˈædʒɐ/
Definitions
01to pester
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to keep asking someone for something or telling them to do something until they are annoyed.
v. to pester or harass someone persistently; to press for information or action through repeated questioning.
“The children continued to badger their parents for ice cream until they finally gave in.”
“Journalists continued to badger the minister for a statement regarding the scandal, despite his repeated refusals to comment.”
Antonyms
02the animal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science
n. an animal with grey, black, and white fur that lives in holes in the ground and comes out at night.
n. a burrowing, carnivorous mammal of the family Mustelidae, typically nocturnal and characterised by a black and white striped face.
“We were lucky enough to see a badger running across the field late at night.”
“The local wildlife trust is working to protect the ancient badger setts from the proposed highway expansion.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object (the person being pressed). It is often followed by 'for' + noun or an infinitive clause.
Pitfall
He badgered me about the report
He badgered me for the report
Badger typically takes 'for' when asking for a thing, not 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“My son and I spent nights out watching badgers and foxes from a pop-up hide in our garden.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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