# irritant

/ˈɪɹətənt/ (US) · /ˈɪɹɪtənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irritant
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a substance that causes a red, itchy, or painful reaction on your skin or in your eyes. It can also be a person or thing that makes you feel annoyed or angry.

For teachers: a substance that causes inflammation or a physical reaction when it comes into contact with living tissue. In a figurative sense, it refers to a person or situation that causes annoyance or frustration.

## Examples

- The chemical is a common skin irritant that causes rashes.
- The doctor warned that the new laundry detergent contains a powerful irritant that might affect sensitive skin.
- While the physical irritant was easily removed, the psychological impact of the constant noise from the construction site lingered for weeks.

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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.