# bothersome

/ˈbɑðɝsəm/ (US) · /bˈɒðəsˌʌm/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bothersome
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

causing you trouble or making you feel slightly annoyed. You use this to describe something that is not a big problem but is still irritating.

For teachers: causing annoyance, impatience, or mild trouble. Often used to describe persistent but relatively minor inconveniences.

## Examples

- The fly in the room was very bothersome.
- Having to fill out the same paperwork every week is a bothersome task for the office staff.
- While the injury was not life-threatening, the bothersome ache in his knee prevented him from participating in the marathon he had trained for all year.

## Synonyms

annoying, irritating, pesky, troublesome

## Antonyms

pleasant, convenient

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become'.

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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.