Word Noun
annoyance
n.
C / U
B1 Intermediate US /əˈnɔɪəns/ UK /ɐnˈɔɪəns/ an·noy·ance UK spelling annoyance's, annoyance's
Definition
n.something that makes you feel slightly angry or impatient. It is often a small, repeated problem rather than a big disaster.
n.a source of irritation or trouble; a minor inconvenience that provokes mild anger or impatience.
Examples
“The loud noise was a constant annoyance.”
“The broken elevator became a daily annoyance for the office workers.”
“While the policy aimed to reduce traffic, the resulting construction noise proved a significant annoyance to local residents.”
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English anoyaunce (rare form of noyaunce), from Old French anuiance, anoiance, from the verb anuier (“to cause problems”), equivalent to annoy + -ance. Compare French ennui.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Old French anuiance
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated