Word
bother
Phoneticsboth·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɑðɝ/
UK/bˈɒðɐ/
Definitions
01to annoy or disturb
B1 · Intermediate
v. to annoy someone or interrupt what they are doing.
v. to annoy, irritate, or disturb the peace of someone. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“I am sorry to bother you, but do you have a moment to talk?”
“The constant noise from the construction site next door began to bother the residents, making it impossible for them to concentrate on their work.”
Usage
Often used in the negative to show politeness, such as 'I'm sorry to bother you'.
02to make an effort
B1 · Intermediate
v. to spend time or energy doing something, especially when it seems unnecessary.
v. to exert effort or take the trouble to perform an action. Often used in negative or interrogative constructions.
“It was raining so hard that he didn't bother to go for a run.”
“Many eligible voters didn't even bother registering for the local elections, citing a general lack of faith in the political candidates.”
Usage
Can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund with little change in meaning.
Pitfall
He didn't bother to calling me.
He didn't bother to call me.
After 'bother', use the infinitive ('to call') or the -ing form ('calling'), but do not mix them.
03trouble or effort
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a situation that causes a small problem or requires extra effort.
n. a state of minor trouble, inconvenience, or fuss.
“I'm sorry for the bother, but could you help me move this table?”
“The airline apologised for the bother caused by the flight delay, offering passengers vouchers for a complimentary meal in the terminal.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'a bit of bother'.
Teaching tip
In British English, this is frequently used as a light understatement for a more serious problem.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bother” in context.
Verb
01. bother about
“Don't bother about the mess; I'll clean it up later.”
verb + prep
02. bother with
“I can't be bothered with all these complicated instructions.”
verb + prep
03. hardly bother
“He was so tired he could hardly bother to take off his shoes.”
adv + verb
04. scarcely bother
“She scarcely bothered to look at the menu before ordering.”
adv + verb
Noun
05. bother to ask
“He didn't even bother to ask if I wanted to come along.”
verb + inf
06. can't be bothered to
“I can't be bothered to cook a big meal tonight.”
07. not bother to do something
“He didn't even bother to call and say he would be late.”
08. sorry to bother you
“I'm sorry to bother you, but could you help me with this?”
Etymology
Borrowed from Scots bauther, bather (“to bother”). Origin unknown. Perhaps related to Scots pother (“to make a stir or commotion, bustle”), also of unknown origin. Compare English pother (“to poke, prod”), variant of potter (“to poke”). More at potter. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. hot and bothered
02. spot of bother
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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