annoyance
gb/ənˈɔɪəns/ us/ənˈɔɪəns/
B2
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
feeling of being irritated
A feeling when something or someone bothers you and makes you a little angry.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s annoyance at/with [something or someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I have an annoy"* instead of *"I feel annoyance" or "I am annoyed". Use "annoyance" as a noun for the feeling, and "annoyed" as an adjective (e.g. "I am annoyed"). Learners also confuse "annoyance" with stronger words like "anger"; "annoyance" is usually milder.
Synonyms
irritation (Very close in meaning, but can sound slightly more formal or physical, while "annoyance" is often more emotional.)
Antonyms
pleasure (Describes a positive feeling of enjoyment, the opposite emotional reaction to annoyance.)
Collocations
show annoyance
|express annoyance
|to [someone]'s annoyance
|in annoyance
|hidden annoyance
|growing annoyance
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- To her annoyance, the meeting started twenty minutes late.
- He tried to hide his annoyance, but it showed on his face.
- Much to my annoyance, they cancelled the concert at the last minute.
- The constant noise was a source of great annoyance to the residents.
- She sighed in annoyance when her phone battery died again.
Learner examples
- I could see the annoyance in his eyes.
- To my annoyance, the bus did not come on time.
- She spoke with clear annoyance in her voice.
- He felt great annoyance when his computer stopped working.
- The delay caused a lot of annoyance for the passengers.
Noun
B2
entity
2
person or thing that annoys
A person, thing, or situation that makes you feel annoyed.
Usage pattern:
[something or someone] is an annoyance (to/for [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He is very annoyance"* instead of *"He is an annoyance" or "He is very annoying". Use "an annoyance" as a noun and "annoying" as an adjective. Also, do not forget the article: say "an annoyance", not "~is annoyance" in this sense.
Synonyms
nuisance (Very close in meaning, but often sounds slightly stronger or more negative than "annoyance".)
Antonyms
comfort (A person or thing that makes you feel better and more relaxed, the opposite of something that annoys you.)
Collocations
constant annoyance
|minor annoyance
|little annoyance
|real annoyance
|annoyance to [someone]
|daily annoyance
Themes
daily_life
|relationships
|problems
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The traffic outside is a real annoyance to everyone in this building.
- These pop-up ads are a constant annoyance when I use the internet.
- His loud chewing is a minor annoyance, but I try to ignore it.
- The broken air conditioner became an annoyance for the whole office.
- The delays have been an annoyance for customers all week.
Learner examples
- The noise from the street is an annoyance to me.
- This old phone is an annoyance because it is so slow.
- The hot weather is a real annoyance for people in the city.
- Her messy desk is a small annoyance for her coworkers.
- The long lines were an annoyance for the shoppers.
Noun
formal
C1
event
3
act or state of bothering
The act or situation of making people feel annoyed, often talked about in a general or formal way.
Usage pattern:
to cause annoyance to/for [someone or a group]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is more formal and general. In everyday speech, people usually say "The noise annoys people" rather than "The noise causes annoyance." Use this form mainly in formal writing or official complaints.
Synonyms
irritation (In formal writing, "irritation" can describe the process or effect of something that annoys, similar to this sense of "annoyance".)
Antonyms
relief (A reduction or removal of something unpleasant; the opposite effect of causing annoyance.)
Collocations
cause annoyance
|public annoyance
|unnecessary annoyance
|cause annoyance to [someone]
|without annoyance
|avoid annoyance
Themes
law
|society
|problems
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new parking rules were designed to reduce annoyance for local residents.
- Loud music late at night can cause serious annoyance to your neighbors.
- The company wants to improve the website so it can be used without annoyance.
- The council received complaints about the annoyance caused by street vendors.
- He left quietly to avoid further annoyance to the guests.
Learner examples
- The smoke from the factory causes annoyance to people who live nearby.
- They want to stop any annoyance to the people in the building.
- The new rules are there to reduce annoyance for drivers.
- The loud party caused a lot of annoyance for the neighbors.
- Good planning can help us avoid annoyance in the future.
Grammar
Dictionary form
annoyance
IPA
GB/ənˈɔɪəns/
US/ənˈɔɪəns/
Syllables & stress
an - noy - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (noy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: annoyance
- Plural: annoyance, annoyances
Word family
Expressions
an annoyance to [someone]
1/ən ənˈɔɪəns tə sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
something that bothers someone
Used to say that a person or thing regularly bothers a particular person or group.
Examples
- The construction noise has been an annoyance to local residents.
- Her constant messages are an annoyance to everyone in the group chat.
- The new parking charges are an annoyance to many drivers.
in annoyance
1/ˈɪn ənˈɔɪəns/
fixed phrase
showing or feeling annoyance
Used after a verb to show that someone does something while feeling annoyed.
Examples
- She slammed the door in annoyance.
- He rolled his eyes in annoyance and walked away.
- The driver honked in annoyance when the car in front did not move.
much to my annoyance
1/mˈʌt͡ʃ tə mˈaɪ ənˈɔɪəns/
fixed phrase
causing me strong annoyance
Used to say that something happened and it made you very annoyed.
Examples
- Much to my annoyance, they changed the deadline without telling me.
- Much to my annoyance, I realized I had left my keys at home.
- Much to my annoyance, the kids ignored every rule I gave them.
show one's annoyance
1/ʃˈoʊ wˈʌnz ənˈɔɪəns/
fixed phrase
let others see annoyance
To behave or speak in a way that lets other people see that you are annoyed.
Examples
- He tried not to show his annoyance during the interview.
- She clearly showed her annoyance when they arrived late again.
- The teacher showed his annoyance by giving the class extra homework.
to [someone]'s annoyance
1/tə sˈoʊmˈoʊnz ənˈɔɪəns/
fixed phrase
causing someone to feel annoyed
Used to show that something happened and it made a particular person feel annoyed.
Examples
- To my annoyance, the train left just as I reached the platform.
- To her annoyance, they kept interrupting her during the presentation.
- To their annoyance, the repairman arrived two hours late.