nuisance

American  

[noo-suhns, nyoo-] / ˈnu səns, ˈnju- /

noun

nuisances plural

1. an obnoxious or annoying person, thing, condition, practice, etc..

   a monthly meeting that was more nuisance than pleasure.

2. Law. something offensive or annoying to individuals or to the community, especially in violation of their legal rights.

---

nuisance British  

/ ˈnjuːsəns /

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that causes annoyance or bother

   2. ( as modifier )

      nuisance calls

2. law something unauthorized that is obnoxious or injurious to the community at large ( public nuisance ) or to an individual, esp in relation to his ownership or occupation of property ( private nuisance )

3. the usefulness of a person's or thing's capacity to cause difficulties or irritation

---

nuisance Idioms  

1. see make a nuisance of oneself.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nuisances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nuisance

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English nu(i)sa(u)nce, from Anglo-French, from nuis(er) “to harm” (from Latin nocēre “to harm, injure”) + -ance -ance

Explanation

Whether it’s a mosquito or your little brother pestering you about the laundry, you can use the word nuisance to describe something that causes small annoyances. The noun nuisance traces back to the Latin word nocere, meaning “to harm.” Nuisance originally was used to refer to things that could produce serious injury and harm, but over time the word lost some of its capacity for destruction. Nowadays you’ll hear nuisance used to describe things or people that cause small problems or that bother you in annoying but trivial ways.

Example Sentences

She said she hadn’t contacted authorities, but the vultures have been a nuisance, thudding on her roof, bouncing on her children’s trampoline and popping their toy balls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

There, on a crowded train during the evening rush hour, on the night of a Knicks game, I was surrounded by a nuisance I’ve been meeting all too often lately: backpacks.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2026

The schools claim that dealing with the ill effects of social media has cost them money and resources, and that the platforms should be deemed a "public nuisance" and held liable for impacting children's well-being.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Fashion Nova’s “unlawful conduct invaded Plaintiff’s privacy, disturbed Plaintiff’s peace and quiet, and caused nuisance and annoyance in a realm that is private and personal,” the complaint stated.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

“And Joe can help. He’s twelve, isn’t he? That’s just the age Grandma used to say kids stopped being a nuisance and started being useful.”

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen