pest
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a person who is very annoying or keeps bothering you.
a person who causes persistent annoyance or nuisance through their behaviour.
Simple“My little brother is being a real pest while I am trying to study.”
In context“The persistent salesman became such a pest that the manager eventually had to ask him to leave the premises.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
an insect or small animal that damages crops, food, or buildings.
any organism, typically an insect or rodent, that is destructive to livestock, crops, or stored goods.
Simple“Farmers use various methods to protect their corn from common garden pests.”
In context“The agricultural department released a report on managing invasive pests that had been devastating local vineyards throughout the summer.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a serious disease that spreads quickly and kills many people.
a fatal epidemic disease, specifically the bubonic plague.
Simple“The old stories tell of a terrible pest that swept through the city.”
In context“Historical chronicles from the fourteenth century describe the arrival of the pest with a grim focus on its rapid transmission through the port.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
the name of the eastern part of Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
the eastern, mostly flat portion of Budapest, Hungary, situated on the left bank of the Danube.
Simple“We spent the afternoon exploring the shops and cafes in Pest.”
In context“While Buda is known for its historic hills and royal palace, Pest serves as the vibrant commercial and administrative heart of the capital.”
From Hungarian Pest, ultimately from Old Church Slavonic пещь (peštĭ, “furnace, oven”). Compare German Ofen (“Buda”, literally “oven”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.