irksome adj. + Add to list US //ˈɝksəm// UK //ˈɜːksʌm// irk·some SynonymsEtymology Synonyms boringdeadeningdullho humslowtedioustiresomewearisomeOriginOEweorcsum→MEirkesome→ENirksome From Middle English irkesome, irksum, equivalent to irk + -some, or perhaps continuing (in altered form) from Old English weorcsum (“painful, hurtful”).