annoyance

[uh-noi-uhns]

noun

1. a person or thing that annoys; nuisance.

   Unwanted visitors are an annoyance.

2. an act or instance of annoying.

3. the feeling of being annoyed.

annoyance

/ əˈnɔɪəns /

noun

1. the feeling of being annoyed

2. the act of annoying

3. a person or thing that annoys

Word History and Origins

Origin of annoyance¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French; annoy + -ance

Example Sentences

Employees can expect such features to show up in more offices soon, as technological innovations allow designers to address some of the biggest annoyances in workplaces today.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The catchy phrase and its accompanying dance has gripped classrooms across the UK, much to the bafflement and annoyance of some parents and teachers.

Read more on BBC

Running over one of his own Russian bikers, he grunts in annoyance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All three of us are tied up together, in a triangle of frustration and annoyance.

Read more on Literature

Then the woman herself stormed in, flushed with annoyance, with one side of her hair put up and the other still hanging loose about her shoulders.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• anger 
• discontent 
• displeasure 
• exasperation 
• frustration 
• indignation 
• irritation 
• pique 
• unhappiness www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

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.