noun

irritability

ih-rih-tuh-BIH-lih-tee

Irritability (noun) means a tendency to become annoyed or angry easily. Example: “Lack of sleep left him with noticeable irritability all week.”

noun

A tendency to become annoyed or angry easily.

"Lack of sleep left him with noticeable irritability all week."

(biology) The natural ability of a living cell or organism to react to a stimulus.

"Muscle tissue shows high irritability, reacting quickly to nerve signals."

How to use irritability

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow easily something (a person, or in science, a cell) reacts or gets annoyed.

Common pairings

signs of irritability muscle irritability

Word forms

irritabilities plural

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Lack of sleep left him with noticeable _____ all week.

Etymology

From Latin irritabilitas, formed from irritable plus -ity.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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temper choler crossness fussiness petulance surliness fretfulness peevishness biliousness pettishness excitability snappishness

Related words

anger mood rage temper mitigate harden irritation hardness

Rhymes for irritability

city pity deity acuity parity entity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality

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Frequently asked questions

What does “irritability” mean?

The word “irritability” means a tendency to become annoyed or angry easily. In plain terms, how easily something (a person, or in science, a cell) reacts or gets annoyed.

How do you pronounce “irritability”?

“Irritability” is pronounced ih-rih-tuh-BIH-lih-tee (/ˌɪɹɪtəˈbɪlɪti/ in IPA).

How do you use “irritability” in a sentence?

Here is “irritability” used in a sentence: “Lack of sleep left him with noticeable irritability all week.”

What part of speech is “irritability”?

“Irritability” is a noun.

Where does the word “irritability” come from?

The word “irritability” comes from Latin. From Latin irritabilitas, formed from irritable plus -ity.

How many meanings does “irritability” have?

“Irritability” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tendency to become annoyed or angry easily.

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