annoying
Americanadjective
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
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.
George says issues with his bladder have been the "most annoying" as he sometimes has to get up four or five times a night to use the toilet - a problem known as nocturia.
From BBC
The kitchen starts to feel full of static—the kind that makes it easier to order in than to figure out what, exactly, is causing the low, annoying hum.
From Salon
“At times it will seem like it’s going to be really annoying,” he says.
Carson’s amazing comedic monologues and silly antics gave viewers humor without being annoying, his off-the-cuff quips were hilarious, and interviews with interesting guests sparked laughter.
Contaifer admitted that the way that short trailer clips were spread through different pages "might be annoying for fans", but is a "smart idea" that builds anticipation.
From BBC
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.
