irritation
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the feeling of being slightly angry or impatient because of something or someone.
the psychological state of being annoyed or impatient. Uncountable in its abstract sense, though specific instances may be treated as countable.
Simple“He tried to hide his irritation when the meeting started twenty minutes late.”
In context“The constant interruptions from the construction site next door were a source of growing irritation for the office staff trying to meet their deadline.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a painful, red, or itchy feeling on a part of your body, often your skin.
a state of inflammation or painful reaction in living tissue caused by an external agent or injury.
Simple“The new laundry soap caused a red irritation on her arms.”
In context“Prolonged exposure to the chemical fumes resulted in severe nasal irritation and a persistent cough among the factory workers.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
something that makes you feel annoyed or impatient.
a specific source of annoyance or a stimulus that provokes a state of being irritated.
Simple“The slow internet connection was a constant irritation for the students.”
In context“While minor on their own, the frequent technical glitches became a significant irritation that hampered the team's overall productivity.”
“For people such as Chloe and my daughter, we’re not talking about skin irritation or a dodgy stomach, however unpleasant that might be.”
“Irritation from algae in rivers and lakes might also be causing it.”
Borrowed from Middle French irritation, from Latin irrītātiō, from irrītāre (“to excite”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.