# menace

/ˈmɛnəs/ (US) · /mˈɛnɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/menace
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a danger or threat

noun · CEFR B2

someone or something that is dangerous or likely to cause serious harm.

For teachers: a person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger.

- The loose rocks on the cliff side are a constant menace to hikers.
- The rapid spread of the invasive species poses a significant menace to the local ecosystem's delicate balance.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to'.

### 2. a nuisance

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person, especially a child, who is very annoying or causes trouble.

For teachers: a person or thing that is annoying, bothersome, or a persistent nuisance.

- My little brother is a total menace when he hasn't had a nap.
- The stray cats in the neighbourhood have become something of a menace, waking residents with their fighting at night.

Teaching tip: In this informal sense, it is often used with a lighthearted or slightly frustrated tone rather than a sense of real danger.

### 3. to threaten

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

to threaten someone or make them feel like they are in danger.

For teachers: to threaten or intimidate someone; to pose a threat to something.

- The tall, dark clouds menaced the small village as the storm approached.
- The dictator's secret police continued to menace the local population, stifling any attempts at peaceful protest.

Usage: This verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

## Examples

- The old tree is a menace to the house.
- Speeding cars are a major menace to pedestrians in this busy city center.
- The unchecked expansion of invasive species poses a significant menace to the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.

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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.