# irritability

/ˌɪɹɪtəˈbɪɫəti/ (US) · /ˌɪɹɪtəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irritability
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- She felt a lot of irritability after not sleeping well.
- The doctor noted that the patient's irritability was likely a side effect of the new medication.
- 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.

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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.