pes ‧ ter /ˈpestə $ -ər/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: empestrer 'to prevent from moving properly' , from Vulgar Latin pastoria 'something that ties animals' legs together' ; influenced by pest ]
to annoy someone, especially by asking them many times to do something ⇨ harass :
She’d been pestered by reporters for days.
pester somebody for something
I can’t even walk down the street without being continually pestered for money.
pester somebody to do something
The kids have been pestering me to buy them new trainers.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to ask for something
▪ ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
▪ order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
|
Have you ordered yet?
▪ demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
|
If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
▪ request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
|
I enclose the information you requested.
▪ beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
|
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
▪ nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
|
People were pestering him for his autograph.