annoy
uh-NOIH
Annoy (verb) means to bother or irritate someone, especially through repeated small actions. Example: “The dripping tap annoyed him all night.”
verb
1
To bother or irritate someone, especially through repeated small actions.
"The dripping tap annoyed him all night."
"She annoys her brother by humming the same tune over and over."
"Marc loved his sister, but when she annoyed him he wanted to switch her off."
How to use annoy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo irritate or bother someone, usually through small, repeated things rather than one big offense.
Common pairings
annoy someone
annoying habit
easily annoyed
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Word forms
- Plural
- annoys
- Third person singular
- annoys
- Past tense
- annoyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dripping tap _____ him all night.
Etymology
From Old French anoier ("to bother, disturb"), from Late Latin inodiare ("to make loathsome"), rooted in Latin odium, "hatred."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for annoy
See all rhymes for annoy →Frequently asked questions
What does “annoy” mean?
The word “annoy” means to bother or irritate someone, especially through repeated small actions. In plain terms, to irritate or bother someone, usually through small, repeated things rather than one big offense.
How do you pronounce “annoy”?
“Annoy” is pronounced uh-NOIH (/əˈnoɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “annoy” in a sentence?
Here is “annoy” used in a sentence: “The dripping tap annoyed him all night.”
What is another word for “annoy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “annoy” include aggravate, nettle, rankle, ruffle, sting and antagonize.
What is the opposite of “annoy”?
The opposite of “annoy” — its antonyms — are comfort, please and soothe.
What part of speech is “annoy”?
“Annoy” is a verb.
Where does the word “annoy” come from?
The word “annoy” comes from Late Latin. From Old French anoier ("to bother, disturb"), from Late Latin inodiare ("to make loathsome"), rooted in Latin odium, "hatred.".
Is “annoy” a common word?
“Annoy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
