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
Explanation
A feeling of being extremely irritated or exasperated is annoyance. Your neighbor's annoyance is completely justified if you've been letting your dog bark for hours in the back yard. You can describe the general state of being annoyed as annoyance, and it's also a good word for the thing (or person) that's annoying you. While your neighbor may refer to your dog as "that annoyance next door," from your perspective it's your neighbor who's the annoyance, constantly scolding you about your barking dog. The Latin root of annoyance is (esse) in odio, "(it is to me) hateful."
Vocabulary lists containing annoyance
List 1
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"The Tragedy of Macbeth," Vocabulary from Act 5
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List 5
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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.
Another thing they can agree on: The compounding effect of start-stop annoyance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
"We don't have any stocks?" asked motorbike taxi driver Moise Ilunga, not hiding his annoyance.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
Many expressed doubt or annoyance at the fake stories – but others did seem to be taken in by it.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026
By his own admission, Daniel Smith exists in a state of perpetual annoyance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
She strode toward the elevator, hands again thrust violently in the pockets of her coat; she did not look back, and he hesitated for a moment, feeling annoyance, before he at last trailed after her.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
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.
