noun
-
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
Fonsia is a prim, religious woman who bridles at Weller’s obstreperousness and salty expressions of annoyance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
This has led to the stoppages becoming an annoyance not only for supporters, but also for some managers and players.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
That shock, and the lasting annoyance it caused among consumers, helps explain why consumer sentiment is seemingly out of line with what traditional economic indicators would predict.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
However, he expressed annoyance at lawmakers who would not support $1 billion in federal funding for security costs related to the ballroom project.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
In spite of himself, Ekon felt a fleeting annoyance.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2025
Such are the occasional aggravations and annoyances that bedevil the tony section of Los Angeles that Harris calls home.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2024
"What used to be minor annoyances, like colds and flu, now feel like a bigger deal."
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2024
With many V.R. headsets I’ve tried — and I’ve tried a lot — the initial novelty fades, and minor annoyances, like blurry graphics or a lack of compelling apps, start to pile up.
From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2024
The physical freedom, Stanton later said, “did not compensate for the persistent persecution and petty annoyances suffered at every turn.”
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
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.
