verb
vex
vehks
verb
1
To annoy or irritate someone.
"It vexes me when people talk during films."
2
To cause someone worry or distress.
"The unresolved question continued to vex the research team for years."
How to Use Vex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo annoy, irritate, or trouble someone.
When to use it
Somewhat formal or literary — "annoy" or "irritate" are more common in everyday speech.
Common pairings
vex someone
a vexing problem
Word Forms
vexed past tense, vext past tense, vexes plural, vexes singular
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It _____ me when people talk during films.
Etymology
From Old French vexer, from Latin vexare, "to disturb, agitate, annoy".