Main Entry:

an·noy

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈnȯi\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English anoien, from Anglo-French anuier, ennoier, from Late Latin inodiare to make loathsome, from Latin in + odium hatred — more at odium

Date:

13th century

transitive verb 1 : to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts 2 : to harass especially by quick brief attacks intransitive verb : to cause annoyance

— an·noy·er noun

synonyms annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness <their constant complaining annoys us>. vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety <vexed by her son's failure to clean his room>. irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit <careless waste irks the boss>. bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind <don't bother me while I'm reading>.

synonyms see in addition worry