# bother

/ˈbɑðɝ/ (US) · /bˈɒðɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bother
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to annoy or disturb

verb · CEFR B1

to annoy someone or interrupt what they are doing.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. to make an effort

verb · CEFR B1

to spend time or energy doing something, especially when it seems unnecessary.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. trouble or effort

noun · CEFR B1

a situation that causes a small problem or requires extra effort.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I had a bit of bother with my car this morning.
- We had a spot of bother at the airport when the airline lost our luggage for a few hours.
- The minor mechanical failure proved to be more of a bother than initially anticipated, requiring a full afternoon of tedious administrative work to resolve the insurance claim.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.