B1verb1K

Annoy

UK /["/əˈnɔɪ/","/əˈnɔɪz/","/əˈnɔɪd/","/əˈnɔɪɪŋ/"]/US /["/əˈnɔɪ/","/əˈnɔɪz/","/əˈnɔɪd/","/əˈnɔɪɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to make somebody slightly angry

In simple words: to bother someone or make them angry

Examples

  • His constant joking was beginning to annoy her.
  • I’m sure she does it just to annoy me.
  • I only stay out late to annoy my parents.
  • It really annoys me when people forget to say thank you.
  • It annoys me to see him getting ahead of me.
  • He swatted a fly that was annoying him.
  • The wasps were beginning to annoy me.

Usage notes

Use 'annoy' to describe actions that irritate others. It's appropriate in daily conversations but may sound too casual in formal writing. Avoid using it in overly serious contexts.

Grammar pattern

annoy + object

Memory hint

Imagine a buzzing mosquito that annoys you, buzzing around your head!

Collocations

  • intensely
  • really
  • be beginning to
  • be starting to
  • do something just to annoy somebody
  • do something only to annoy somebody

Synonyms

  • irritate

Antonyms

  • please
  • satisfy
  • delight

Common mistakes

  • 'annoy' is sometimes confused with 'irritate', which are similar but not interchangeable.
  • 'annoyed' is often incorrectly used with 'with' instead of 'by'.
  • Using 'annoy' for feelings, like saying 'I am annoy' instead of 'I am annoyed'.