verb
B1
Intermediate
irritate
IHR-ih-tayt
Irritate (verb) means to annoy or make someone impatient or angry. Example: “His constant tapping on the desk irritates me.”
verb
1
To annoy or make someone impatient or angry.
"His constant tapping on the desk irritates me."
"It irritates her when people interrupt."
2
To cause soreness, redness, or discomfort in part of the body.
"The wool sweater irritated his skin."
How to use irritate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo annoy someone, or to cause physical soreness or discomfort.
Common pairings
irritate the skin
it really irritates me
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- irritates
- Past tense
- irritated
Fill the gap
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His constant tapping on the desk _____ me.
Etymology
From Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare, "to excite or provoke."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for irritate
See all rhymes for irritate →Frequently asked questions
What does “irritate” mean?
The word “irritate” means to annoy or make someone impatient or angry. In plain terms, to annoy someone, or to cause physical soreness or discomfort.
How do you pronounce “irritate”?
“Irritate” is pronounced IHR-ih-tayt (/ˈɪɹ.ɪˌteɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “irritate” in a sentence?
Here is “irritate” used in a sentence: “His constant tapping on the desk irritates me.”
What part of speech is “irritate”?
“Irritate” is a verb.
Where does the word “irritate” come from?
The word “irritate” comes from Latin. From Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare, "to excite or provoke.".
How many meanings does “irritate” have?
“Irritate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to annoy or make someone impatient or angry.
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