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Annoying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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annoying

[ษ™หˆnษ”ษชษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a negative way

causing irritation or annoyance; troublesome; irritating

Synonyms

aggravating, bothersome, irritating, vexatious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
annoying

This word is used to describe something or someone that causes slight irritation or discomfort on a minor level, often due to repetitive behavior.

  • The loud music coming from the next room is very annoying.
  • His persistent questions can be quite annoying sometimes.
irritating

This word is used to describe a situation or person that causes consistent and substantial discomfort or annoyance, often with a sense of frustration.

  • The itchy sweater I wore all day was very irritating.
  • It's irritating when people interrupt you during a conversation.
bothersome

Use this word for minor inconveniences or nuisances that disrupt someone's peace or comfort.

  • The bothersome noise from the construction site made it hard to concentrate.
  • A bothersome mosquito kept flying around my head.
vexatious

This word is more formal and is often used in legal contexts or to describe something that causes prolonged annoyance or distress.

  • Dealing with the vexatious legal disputes exhausted everyone involved.
  • The company's vexatious policies frustrated many employees.
aggravating

This word typically implies a more intense level of irritation and can suggest that the situation is becoming progressively worse.

  • The continuous delays at the airport were extremely aggravating.
  • It is aggravating when the internet connection keeps dropping.

Examples of usage

  • Her constant interruptions were very annoying during the meeting.
  • The loud music from the neighbors was really annoying last night.
Context #2 | Verb

to cause annoyance

to cause slight anger or irritation; to bother or disturb

Synonyms

aggravate, bother, irritate, vex.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
annoying

Use when something or someone causes mild irritation or frustration over time.

  • His constant humming is very annoying
  • Itโ€™s annoying when my computer freezes
irritate

Use when something causes a strong feeling of irritation, usually more intense than 'annoying' and often leading to anger.

  • Her constant interruptions really irritate me
  • The smell of smoke can irritate people with asthma
bother

Use when something causes a small, usually temporary inconvenience or irritation.

  • The noise outside doesnโ€™t really bother me
  • Iโ€™m sorry to bother you, but could you help me with this?
aggravate

Use when something intensifies an already existing problem or condition. Often used for physical symptoms or emotions.

  • Scratching the rash only aggravated it
  • His comments aggravated an already tense situation
vex

Use in more formal or literary contexts to indicate causing distress or annoyance, often with a sense of confusion or complexity.

  • The repeated delays vexed the passengers
  • It vexes me that we still havenโ€™t found a solution

Examples of usage

  • Please stop tapping your pen, it's really annoying me.
  • The constant noise of the construction work is annoying the residents.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that annoying behavior can trigger stress and lead to decreased productivity.
  • People are more likely to be annoyed by repetitive noises than by unique sounds, indicating how predictability can lead to irritation.

Pop Culture

  • In sitcoms, annoying characters often serve as comic relief, showcasing how irritation can enhance humor.
  • In social media, people frequently share posts about annoyances, making 'annoying' a relatable theme in digital communication.

Social Behavior

  • Annoying behavior can serve as a social signal; sometimes, individuals act annoyingly to gain attention or express feelings.
  • Professionals often address annoying behavior in group settings to improve teamwork and communication.

Literature

  • Characters described as annoying often illustrate deeper themes of misunderstanding or conflict in novels.
  • Classic literature frequently uses annoying traits in villains to make them memorable and evoke strong reactions from the audience.

Origin of 'annoying'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'annoyare', meaning 'to harm' or 'to injure'.
  • It evolved through Middle English as 'anoien', indicating a sense of disturbance.

The word 'annoying' originated from the Middle English word 'annoyen', which means 'to molest, harm, or annoy'. The term has been used since the 14th century to describe something that causes irritation or discomfort. Over time, it has become a common adjective to express exasperation or frustration towards something or someone that is bothersome.

See also: annoy, annoyance, annoyed, annoyedly, annoyer, annoyingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,297, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.