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 interjectionally intransitive verb 1 : to become concerned <wouldn't bother with details> 2 : to take pains : take the trouble <never bothered to ask>

synonyms see annoy