irritated
/ˈɪr.ɪ.teɪ.tɪd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Irritated means annoyed, bothered, or slightly angry because of something unpleasant. It is often used for a temporary feeling, not a strong rage.
- She felt irritated by the loud music.
- I'm irritated when people interrupt me.
- The delay left everyone irritated.
Adinary Nuance
Irritated is stronger than annoyed, but usually weaker than angry. Use it when something is getting on your nerves, often for a short time. It feels more personal and reactive than upset, and less serious than furious.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khó chịu
- Spanish
- irritado
- Chinese
- 恼火的
- Japanese
- いらいらした
- Korean
- 짜증난
Etymology
Irritated comes from Latin irritare, meaning “to provoke” or “to irritate.” It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
feel irritatedget irritatedirritated byirritated with
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is irritated the same as angry?
- Not exactly. Irritated is usually milder and often temporary.
- Can I say irritated by or irritated with?
- Yes. Use irritated by for things, and irritated with for people.
- Is irritated formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in speaking, writing, and business English.