Word
nuisance
Phoneticsnui·sance, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnusəns/
UK/njˈuːsəns/
Definitions
01an annoyance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. something or someone that is annoying or causes a small problem.
n. a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance. Often used with 'a' when referring to a specific instance.
“It is a real nuisance when the bus is late and I miss my train.”
“The constant construction noise next door has become a significant nuisance for the residents who work from home during the day.”
Pitfall
It is a nuisance for me to wait.
It is a nuisance to have to wait.
While 'nuisance' describes the situation, we usually use it to describe the action itself rather than the effect on a person's feelings.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02legal violation
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. something that is harmful or offensive to the community and can be stopped by the law.
n. an unlawful interference with a person's use or enjoyment of land, or of a right common to the general public.
“The factory was sued for being a public nuisance because of the bad smell.”
“The court issued an injunction against the nightclub, ruling that the excessive late-night bass levels constituted a private nuisance to the neighbouring property owners.”
Usage
Often categorised as either 'public nuisance' or 'private nuisance' in legal contexts.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Ranchers still largely view the animals as a nuisance that threatens their already slim profit margins.” “We do everything together."
Asked what his family think of his new lease of life, he laughed and said: "They think I'm a nuisance.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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