First Known Use: 1728
Dictionary
1bother
verb both·er \ˈbä-thər\
: to cause (someone) to feel troubled, worried, or concerned
: to annoy (someone) : to cause (someone) to feel annoyed
: to take the time to do something : to make an effort to do something
both·eredboth·er·ing \ˈbäth-riŋ, ˈbä-thə-\
Full Definition of BOTHER
transitive verb
1
: to annoy especially by petty provocation : irk
2
: to intrude upon : pester
3
: to cause to be somewhat anxious or concerned <my stomach is bothering me> —often used interjectionally
intransitive verb
1
: to become concerned <wouldn't bother with details>
2
: to take pains : take the trouble <never bothered to ask>
See bother defined for English-language learners
See bother defined for kids
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Origin of BOTHER
origin unknown
Related to BOTHER
- Antonyms
- calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)
Synonym Discussion of BOTHER
annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness <their constant complaining annoys us>. vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety <vexed by her son's failure to clean his room>. irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit <careless waste irks the boss>. bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind <don't bother me while I'm reading>.
2bother
noun
: someone or something that is annoying or that causes trouble
: trouble or difficulty
Full Definition of BOTHER
1
a : a state of petty discomfort, annoyance, or worry b : something that causes petty annoyance or worry
2
: fuss
See bother defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BOTHER
1788
Related to BOTHER
- Synonyms
- ado, alarums and excursions, ballyhoo, blather, bluster, bobbery, commotion, bustle, clatter, clutter [chiefly dialect], coil, corroboree [Australian], disturbance, do [chiefly dialect], foofaraw, fun, furor, furore, fuss, helter-skelter, hoo-ha (also hoo-hah), hoopla, hubble-bubble, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly, hurly-burly, hurricane, hurry, hurry-scurry (or hurry-skurry), kerfuffle [chiefly British], moil, pandemonium, pother, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, splore [Scottish], squall, stew, stir, storm, to-do, tumult, turmoil, uproar, welter, whirl, williwaw, zoo
BOTHER Defined for Kids
1bother
verb both·er \ˈbäth-ər\
both·eredboth·er·ing
Definition of BOTHER for Kids
1
: to trouble (someone) in body or mind : annoy <bothered by flies>
2
: to cause to worry <Your illness bothers me.>
3
: to take the time or trouble <Don't bother to dress up.>
4
: to intrude upon : interrupt <Don't bother me while I'm on the phone.>
2bother
noun
Definition of BOTHER for Kids
1
: someone or something that is annoying <This project is such a bother.>
2
: commotion <The return of Mr. Bilbo Baggins created quite a disturbance … The legal bother, indeed, lasted for years. — J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit>
3
: a state of worry or annoyance <It's not worth the bother.>
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