Main Entry: ¹both·er

Pronunciation: \ˈbä-thər\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): both·ered; both·er·ing \ˈbäth-riŋ, ˈbä-thə-\

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1728

transitive verb 1 : to annoy especially by petty provocation : irk
2 : to intrude upon : pester
3 : to cause to be somewhat anxious or concerned <my stomach is bothering me> —often used interjectionallyintransitive verb 1 : to become concerned <wouldn't bother with details>
2 : to take pains : take the trouble <never bothered to ask>

synonyms see annoy