nuisance

American  

[noo-suhns, nyoo-] / ˈnu səns, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. an obnoxious or annoying person, thing, condition, practice, etc..

   a monthly meeting that was more nuisance than pleasure.

2. Law. something offensive or annoying to individuals or to the community, especially in violation of their legal rights.

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nuisance British  

/ ˈnjuːsəns /

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that causes annoyance or bother

   2. ( as modifier )

      nuisance calls

2. law something unauthorized that is obnoxious or injurious to the community at large ( public nuisance ) or to an individual, esp in relation to his ownership or occupation of property ( private nuisance )

3. the usefulness of a person's or thing's capacity to cause difficulties or irritation

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nuisance Idioms  

1. see make a nuisance of oneself.

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Etymology

Origin of nuisance

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English nu(i)sa(u)nce, from Anglo-French, from nuis(er) “to harm” (from Latin nocēre “to harm, injure”) + -ance -ance

Example Sentences

In an update on Saturday afternoon, the force said two protesters had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance after allegedly attempting to climb pillars near Trafalgar Square.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Throughout November and December, people had come to Quirky and placed sticky notes on the door saying the store was not a nuisance.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Documents obtained by the Creek Team detail chemicals used in 2024 to “eradicate nuisance weeds” in flood control channels, or “washes,” as many Southern Californians know them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Greenpeace International in 2025 announced plans to counter-sue Energy Transfer in the Netherlands, where the NGO's international headquarters are, accusing the company of using nuisance lawsuits to suppress dissent.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

“By talking to them, mister. Tell them to go, that they’re a nuisance here. They understand,” explained old Pedro Garcia.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende