Irritation
ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state of feeling annoyed, impatient, or slightly angry.
ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən
A feeling of annoyance or impatience.
The constant tapping on the table caused her intense irritation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're waiting for something and it's taking forever. That little 'ugh' feeling? That's irritation! It's like a tiny bit of anger or being annoyed.
👶 For kids: When something bugs you and makes you feel a little grumpy.
More Examples
He couldn't hide his irritation when his plans were disrupted.
She expressed her irritation at the delay.
How It's Used
"She felt a wave of irritation when he interrupted her."
"The constant noise caused a great deal of irritation to the residents."
A condition in which a part of the body is sore or inflamed.
ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən
A physical discomfort or inflammation of the body.
The lotion relieved the skin irritation.
💡 Simply: When your skin feels itchy, red, or a little uncomfortable, that's irritation. It's like your body saying 'ouch!'
👶 For kids: When a part of your body hurts or feels scratchy.
More Examples
He suffered from eye irritation due to the pollen.
The doctor prescribed a cream to soothe the irritation.
How It's Used
"The rash was a sign of skin irritation caused by an allergic reaction."
"Eye irritation can be caused by exposure to smoke."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
cause irritation
To be the reason for someone to feel annoyed or uncomfortable.
"The constant interruptions caused irritation."
skin irritation
The inflammation or discomfort of the skin.
"The new soap caused skin irritation."
From Latin *irritatio*, from the verb *irritare* meaning "to provoke, excite, or stimulate."
The word 'irritation' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe the physical action of provoking or stimulating and later encompassing the emotional sense.
Memory tip
Imagine being lightly rubbed the wrong way, enough to bother you.