Word
bothering
Phoneticsboth·er·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɑðɝɪŋ/
UK/bˈɒðəɹɪŋ/
Definitions
01annoying or disturbing
B1 · Intermediate
v. annoying someone or making them feel slightly unhappy.
v. causing annoyance, disturbance, or minor psychological distress to another person.
“Stop bothering your sister while she is trying to do her homework.”
“The persistent noise from the construction site was bothering the residents, making it impossible for them to concentrate on their work.”
Synonyms
02worrying you
B1 · Intermediate
v. making you feel worried or concerned about something.
v. causing a person to feel concerned, anxious, or uneasy.
“Something has been bothering me about the news I heard today.”
“The ethical implications of the new corporate policy were clearly bothering the senior staff, though few spoke up during the meeting.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03annoying
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing something that is irritating or causes trouble.
adj. causing irritation or annoyance; often used to describe persistent minor problems.
“He has a bothering cough that has lasted for over a week.”
“The software had a few bothering glitches that, while not fatal to the system, significantly slowed down the user's workflow.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04the act of disturbing
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of disturbing someone or taking the time to do something.
n. the action of troubling or disturbing someone; the expenditure of effort on a task.
“I am sorry for the bothering, but I have a quick question.”
“The constant bothering by telemarketers led the family to change their home phone number after years of use.”
Usage
Often used in the gerund form to describe the process of being interrupted.
Synonyms
- 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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