irksome

[ urk-suh m ]

/ ˈɜrk səm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR irksome ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

annoying; irritating; exasperating; tiresome: irksome restrictions.

Obsolete. causing weariness or disgust.

Nearby words

Origin of irksome

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at irk, -some¹

Related formsirk·some·ly, adverbirk·some·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for irksome

For most New Yorkers, there are few things as irksome as strangers accosting you on the street.
How ‘Billy on the Street’ Host Billy Eichner Hit the Mainstream|Kevin Fallon|February 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
No, Peggy; tis irksome to stay here under the conditions of things, but I see not how it can be helped.
Peggy Owen at Yorktown|Lucy Foster Madison
But the sobriety and simplicity of Mr. Worthy's family were irksome to her.
The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales|Hannah More
Should it be irksome for you to write, send me an exact account, by word, how you find yourself.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment|Silvio Pellico

Markham had sought relief from his irksome confinement getting up the pleasant little novelty that had taken so well.
Bound to Succeed|Allen Chapman
And then all ties were irksome, all earthly attachments unnecessary.
Mrs. Craddock|W. Somerset Maugham

British Dictionary definitions for irksome

irksome

/ (ˈɜːksəm) /

adjective

causing vexation, annoyance, or boredom; troublesome or tedious

Derived Formsirksomely, adverbirksomeness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for irksome

irksome

adj.

"bothersome, burdensome," early 15c., from irk + -some (1). Related: Irksomely; irksomeness.

irksome

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of irksome

Examples from the Web for irksome

irksome

adjective

irksome