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

And offsetting the show’s modest annoyances is the rare chance to see more than 100 items, some never before displayed, that embody the story of Anne Frank and her family.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Orange County residents spend more time in traffic delays than residents in Los Angeles, according to one regional study, and Orange Countians consistently name traffic as their chief annoyance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Like so much of her career, Deen’s plea for forgiveness was outsized and totally singular, so much so that it became fodder to convey the brief intensity of an otherwise banal annoyance.

Read more on Salon

There was the mildest air of annoyance with the forecaster whose analyses are so critical to the Budget process.

Read more on BBC

There are also regulations in England, Wales and Scotland allowing drivers and police officers to remove a passenger from a bus or coach for making a noise that causes "annoyance" to other passengers.

Read more on BBC

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.