ENGLISH
REFERENCE

irritability

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪɹɪtəˈbɪɫəti// UK //ˌɪɹɪtəbˈɪlɪti// ir·ri·tabil·i·ty

n. a feeling of being easily annoyed or upset. You might feel this way when you are tired, hungry, or in pain.

n. a state of being easily annoyed or provoked to anger. Often associated with physiological states such as fatigue, hunger, or hormonal changes.


SIMPLE

She felt a lot of irritability after not sleeping well.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor noted that the patient's irritability was likely a side effect of the new medication.

COMPLEX

Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a significant increase in irritability, making it difficult for individuals to maintain social composure or perform complex cognitive tasks.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin irritabilitās, equivalent to irritable + -ity.

© 2026 English Reference