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Which insect is often called a nuisance?

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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.

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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

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nuisance Idioms  

1. see make a nuisance of oneself.

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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

See Examples For:

nuisance nuisances

This month a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million to abate an alleged public nuisance caused by its platform.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Two MPs and the council leader have urged people to stop setting off "nuisance" fireworks during the heatwave to stop fires taking hold.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

The suit alleges public nuisance and unlawful business practices among the claims.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

A New Mexico judge on Thursday ordered Meta to pay more than half a billion dollars over the state's claims that the social media giant created a "public nuisance" and harmed children.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

“I may have to call the county sheriff and tell him you’re making a nuisance of yourself,” I told her.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

In 2017, when Sydney’s father was dying, he hired Sharon Zissman to help pay the household bills and oversee the everyday financial nuisances that he feared would burden his wife and family after his death.

From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026

All these illusionary names are what tort lawyers call attractive nuisances, enticing but dangerous.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2025

But for gulls — sometimes erroneously called “seagulls,” though they are not exclusive to the ocean — they are described as nuisances and pests, which experts say couldn’t be further from the truth.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2024

Wayde Hunter, president of the North Valley Coalition of Concerned Citizens, has been raising objections to these nuisances for decades.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2023

‘Of all the confounded nuisances you are the worst, Sam!’ he said.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien