Annoying

Definition

Annoying is an adjective that describes something or someone that causes irritation, frustration, or mild anger due to being repetitive, inconvenient, or disruptive.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /əˈnɔɪ.ɪŋ/
• Respelling: uh-NOY-ing

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /əˈnɔɪ.ɪŋ/
• Respelling: uh-NOY-ing

Etymology

The word "annoying" originates from the Old French term "anoier," meaning "to harass or irritate." It entered Middle English as "anoien" and has since evolved to describe anything that causes frustration or mild anger.

Derivatives

• Annoy (verb)
• Annoyance (noun)
• Annoyingly (adverb)
• Unannoyed (adjective)
• Annoyer (noun)

Synonyms

• Irritating
• Bothersome
• Frustrating

Antonyms

• Pleasant
• Agreeable
• Enjoyable

Usage

The term "annoying" is frequently used to describe behaviors, sounds, or situations that cause mild frustration. For example, "Her constant humming was annoying," or "Traffic jams can be very annoying during rush hour."

Related Terms

• Irritating: Causing a slight annoyance or discomfort.
• Exasperating: Intensely frustrating or infuriating.
• Bothersome: Causing inconvenience or worry.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Causing irritation or mild anger: Describes something that triggers a feeling of frustration, often due to being repetitive or inconvenient.
  • Example: "The buzzing sound was extremely annoying."
• Causing inconvenience or frustration: Refers to anything that creates a sense of disruption or makes an experience less enjoyable.
  • Example: "His habit of interrupting was quite annoying to others."