peeve

American  

[peev] / piv /

verb (used with object)

peeved, peeving

1. to render peevish; annoy.

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noun

1. a source of annoyance or irritation.

   Tardiness is one of my greatest peeves.

   Synonyms:

   grievance, affliction, vexation

2. an annoyed or irritated mood.

   to be in a peeve.

peeve British  

/ piːv /

verb

1. (tr) to irritate; vex; annoy

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noun

1. something that irritates; vexation

   it was a pet peeve of his

Other Word Forms

• peeved adjective

Etymology

Origin of peeve

1905–10, back formation from peevish

Example Sentences

Opal kept busy with the names, unless the miller was present, and when Archie needed feeding she seemed quite peeved to have to stop.

From Literature

One of my biggest pet peeves is the way local news reporters talk.

From Salon

Tell us the word or phrase and why it’s your pet peeve.

From The Wall Street Journal

Well, I got tired of feeling like I was alone in that particular crowd, and I was peeved about Paulie T.’s pleasure at my expense.

From Literature

Ping [email protected] with the word or phrase, and why it’s your pet peeve, and we might circle back and include it in a future story.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disturb
• exasperate
• gall
• irk
• irritate
• rile
• vex