annoying

1 of 2

adjective

an·​noy·​ing ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ 

: causing vexation or irritation : causing annoyance : irritating

an annoying habit

annoying questions

annoyingly

ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ-lē 

adverb

annoying

2 of 2

present participle of annoy

Synonyms of annoying

Adjective

• frustrating
• irritating
• disturbing

Examples of annoying in a Sentence

Adjective

my partner has the annoying habit of eating all the pickles and leaving a jar full of pickle juice in the refrigerator

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ready to go to South America and see some capybaras annoying tweens? — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

In May, Cloobeck was arrested and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

While the gnats may not pose a threat to people, one of the more annoying pests is increasing because of the wet conditions. — John Shumway, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Maneuvering a body through the world is both annoying and a cosmic joke. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see annoy

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for annoying

• alloying
• deploying
• destroying
• employing
• enjoying
• cloying
• toying

Kids Definition

annoying

adjective

an·​noy·​ing ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ 

: causing annoyance

an annoying habit

annoyingly adverb