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.
For most people, having to wear glasses is merely an annoyance.
Yet I must suffer the annoyance—and the implied indignity.
If something sticks around long enough, demands to be acknowledged relentlessly enough, that contempt can soften as thinking shifts from current annoyance to historical significance.
From Salon
Ugly crying over “The Notebook” or singing along with “Wicked” might feel great, but it can cause your fellow passengers unnecessary consternation and/or annoyance.
From Los Angeles Times
Would you waste time and money on this trip to make your mother-in-law’s dream come true, even at great expense and annoyance?
From MarketWatch
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.
