ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nuisance

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈnusəns// UK //njˈuːsəns// nui·sance

n. a person, thing, or situation that is annoying or causes trouble for you. It is often used for small problems that are frustrating but not dangerous.

n. a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance. In a legal context, it refers to an unlawful interference with a person's use or enjoyment of land or some right over it.


SIMPLE

The loud music from next door is a real nuisance.

CONTEXTUAL

The local council declared the abandoned building a public nuisance because it attracted pests and was unsafe for children.

COMPLEX

While a single instance of a barking dog might be overlooked, a persistent and nocturnal habit can legally be classified as a private nuisance if it prevents neighbors from sleeping.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English noysaunce, from Anglo-Norman nusaunce, nussance and Old French nuisance, from nuisir (“to harm”), from Latin nocēre. Doublet of nocence and nocency.

Usage

Commonly used with the verb 'to be' and the adjective 'real' or 'total'. In its legal sense, it is often uncountable.

Pitfall

He is a very nuisanceHe is a real nuisanceNuisance is a noun, not an adjective; it should be modified by adjectives like 'real' or 'great' rather than the adverb 'very'.

© 2026 English Reference