Word
annoyance
Phoneticsan·noy·ance, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈnɔɪəns/
UK/ɐnˈɔɪəns/
Countable & uncountable
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.”
Examples
simple
“The loud noise was a constant annoyance.”
contextual
“The broken elevator became a daily annoyance for the office workers.”
complex
“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.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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