Irritate
/ˈɪrɪteɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo cause annoyance or impatience in someone; to bother or disturb.
/ˈɪrɪteɪt/
To make someone feel annoyed, impatient, or angry.
The loud music irritated the neighbors.
💡 Simply: To be annoying, like when your little brother won't stop poking you, or when a website keeps showing annoying pop-up ads. It's something that gets under your skin and makes you a little mad.
👶 For kids: To bother or annoy someone. Like when a bug bites you and makes you itchy!
More Examples
The scratchy wool sweater irritated her skin.
Constant interruptions can irritate a person.
How It's Used
"His constant complaining began to irritate me."
"The medication can irritate the skin."
To cause a physical sensation of discomfort or mild pain.
/ˈɪrɪteɪt/
To cause slight pain or discomfort in a part of the body.
The strong perfume irritated her sensitive sinuses.
💡 Simply: To cause a little bit of pain or discomfort to a part of your body. Like when something you eat makes your stomach hurt a little or when you get a rash.
👶 For kids: To make your body feel a little bit ouchy.
More Examples
The salt water irritated the cuts on his feet.
Sunburn can irritate the skin.
How It's Used
"The chemical irritated his eyes."
"The smoke irritated my throat."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
rub salt in the wound
To make a bad situation even worse by doing something that causes more pain or makes someone feel more upset.
"Telling her about the promotion was like rubbing salt in the wound after she was fired."
From Latin *irritare* 'to provoke, excite,' related to *irritus* 'invalid, ineffective,' from *in-* 'not' + *ratus* 'reckoned, settled'.
The word 'irritate' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe physical sensations of stimulation or discomfort. Its use expanded to include emotional annoyance over time.
Memory tip
Think of a prickly feeling like an itchy rash – something that bothers you.