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

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Etymology

Origin of irritation

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

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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

He contends that when hotels circulate synthetic fragrances through scent dispersion machines, they may be spreading toxic chemicals, potentially causing respiratory problems, headaches, skin irritation and gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and cognitive problems among vulnerable guests.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

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

There was no sign of discomfort or irritation as he sat and spoke.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Then, when I didn’t move, her confusion shifted into irritation, an expression I knew so well.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Mangia said that healthcare providers saw residents with mostly respiratory issues, but that many of the residents were also exhibiting rashes and skin irritations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 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

And Déby knows well that this gives him leverage in managing his own irritations in relations with Washington and Paris.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 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

You are, as they say, stuck with it and have leisure to feel all its peculiar irritations and discomforts.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

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Related Words

• inflammation
• irritability
• soreness
• tenderness

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