irritation

American  

[ir-i-tay-shuhn] / ˌɪr ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

• irritations
  plural

1. the act of irritating or the state of being irritated.

2. something that irritates.

3. Physiology, Pathology.

   1. the bringing of a bodily part or organ to an abnormally excited or sensitive condition.

   2. the condition itself.

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irritation British  

/ ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. something that irritates

2. the act of irritating or the condition of being irritated

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• irritative
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• irritations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of irritation

First recorded in 1580–90, irritation is from the Latin word irrītātiōn- (stem of irrītātiō ). See irritate, -ion

Explanation

An irritation is a situation or action that annoys someone — emotionally or physically. Your off-key singing in the car might be an irritation to the driver, or that poison ivy could be an irritation as well. It's an irritation when you're bothering someone else, and it's also irritation when you're the one feeling irked: "My irritation increased the longer the train sat there, unmoving, with no explanation." The earliest meaning of this word was more physical, a "sore or swollen spot," from the Latin root word irritare, "excite or provoke."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

irritation irritations

Once there, they can contribute to irritation and inflammation in the respiratory system.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026

There’s no harm in that per se, but you’ll have to forgive my irritation with Sudeikis, Lawrence, Hunt and fellow executive producer and showrunner Joe Kelly’s clumsiness with the team’s most complicated working relationship.

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026

Almost since its 1882 inception—Gaudí inherited the project a year later from the neo-Gothically inclined Francisco de Paula del Villar—the world’s longest-running construction project has been an object of irritation, admiration and parody.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

The sounds can indicate irritation, excitement, alarm or affection.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

She was sure he was hiding something from her, and her irritation was just as visible as the clouds of steam from their warm breaths.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

First, it can show up as small irritations — like feeling annoyed with the bureaucracy or the transportation system.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

What some people call “vibe coding” is a powerful way that AI can boost your efficiency and reduce work irritations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026

Residents in Delhi have reported eye irritations and breathing issues, according to local media.

From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2024

Each seemingly simple task is not just saddled with procedural irritations — forms to fill out, appointments to attend, banal questions to answer — but with fear.

From New York Times ● Apr. 25, 2024

As the cares and irritations dropped away, General Matsika became the father Tendai wished he really had.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• inflammation
• irritability
• soreness
• tenderness