annoying

American  

[uh-noi-ing] / əˈnɔɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing annoyance; irritatingly bothersome.

   annoying delays.

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annoying British  

/ əˈnɔɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing irritation or displeasure

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Usage

What does annoying mean? Annoying is an adjective that’s used to describe someone or something that annoys you—bothers or irritates you. 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 is extremely annoying. People who are annoying are usually engaging in some kind of irritating and unwanted behavior (especially when it’s repeated), such as chewing too loudly or asking you the same question over and over again. Things that are annoying 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. Someone or something that’s annoying can be called an annoyance. The adjective annoyed is used to describe someone who is bothered in this way. Example: Mom, Jeff is being so annoying! He keeps humming!

Other Word Forms

• annoyingly adverb
• annoyingness noun
• half-annoying adjective
• half-annoyingly adverb
• unannoying adjective
• unannoyingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of annoying

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; annoy + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that's annoying is upsetting or irritating or otherwise troublesome. When your mom asks you ten times in a row when you're going to clean your room, she's being annoying. But your messy room might also be annoying! Annoying really is a tiresome word, as its roots imply: it comes from the old French word anuier, meaning "to weary or vex," and from the Latin inodiare, meaning — even worse — "to make loathsome." Think about that next time you do something annoying. And don't forget, it's easy to be annoying without even knowing it, as Mark Twain understood when he said, “There is nothing so annoying as to have two people talking when you're busy interrupting.”

Example Sentences

"It is annoying," he told BBC Radio 4's Money Box, having thought as a young man that he would have eventually got his pension at 65.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

But homing in on the annoying and self-defeating aspects of it misses the real story of how the movement changed American society, and the world, for the better—and how Lindy West did too.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

"I'll be a bit clumsy up there -- so I know that's going to be hilarious and annoying at the same time."

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Best known as one-half of reality TV’s most polarizing couple on “The Hills,” Pratt built a reputation as a needling instigator, often leaning into the role of villain with annoying enthusiasm.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

One more annoying thing to do before he could be alone in his room.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Related Words

• aggravating
• bothersome
• disturbing
• irritating
• troublesome