Bother
/ˈbɒðə/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo cause annoyance or trouble to someone.
/ˈbɒðə/
To cause trouble or inconvenience to someone.
The noise bothered me.
💡 Simply: To annoy or make someone upset.
More Examples
Please don't bother him while he's working.
How It's Used
"Don't bother yourself with it."
"I apologize if this bothers you."
To take the trouble to do something.
/ˈbɒðə/
To make an effort to do something.
I didn't bother to reply to his email.
💡 Simply: To try to do something.
More Examples
He bothered to call his mother every week.
How It's Used
"I didn't bother to cook dinner."
Something that causes annoyance or trouble.
/ˈbɒðə/
Annoyance or trouble.
It's a real bother having to clean up after them.
💡 Simply: Something annoying or troublesome.
More Examples
Finding a parking space was a bother.
How It's Used
"The whole thing is such a bother."
Idioms & expressions
Can't be bothered
Too lazy or unwilling to do something.
"I can't be bothered to do the dishes."
From Middle English *botheren, from Old English *botherian, probably of Celtic origin.
Historically, 'bother' had a stronger connotation of 'to trouble' or 'to worry', often used in a more formal setting.
Memory tip
Think of it as 'to bug' someone.