noun
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the feeling of being annoyed
-
the act of annoying
-
a person or thing that annoys
Usage
What does annoyance mean? An annoyance is someone or something that annoys—bothers or irritates.Annoyance can also refer to the feeling of being annoyed, the act of annoying, or an instance in which someone or something is annoying.The word implies that the resulting irritation does not rise to the level of serious harm or a major problem—even if someone or something annoys you very much.An annoyance usually consists of some kind of irritating and unwanted behavior (especially when it’s repeated), such as someone chewing too loudly or asking you the same question over and over again. Things that are annoyances are often those that distract, interrupt, or intrude on what you’re trying to do, like a noise that keeps waking you up when you’re trying to fall asleep or a pop-up ad.The word is sometimes used to contrast with something considered a serious problem, as in It’s no big deal—just a minor annoyance. Someone who is bothered in this way can be described as annoyed. Someone or something that annoys you can be described as annoying.Example: I know all this paperwork is an annoyance, but just try to get through it as quickly as you can.
Etymology
Origin of annoyance
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French; annoy + -ance
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He hesitates, a beat of annoyance flickers through his eyes.
From Literature
The badger sneered, as if this were a personal annoyance to him, and disappeared into the bushes, ignoring the chipmunk’s squeaks for help.
From Literature
He went on to say the lights could become "a source of annoyance to people" and "harmful to wildlife", and added that he felt they could "undermine enjoyment of the countryside or the night sky".
From BBC
I wanted to reach out and pull him toward me, but despite my annoyance with her advice, what Ma had said about being modest needled me.
From Literature
I can feel the wheels about to come off the conversation, the rising annoyance in his voice as he sets down his cigar.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
