hassle
B1Informal, colloquial
Definition
Meaning
Annoying or troublesome situation, inconvenience, or problem requiring effort to deal with.
The act of arguing, bothering, or persistently pressuring someone; to pester or harass.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes minor to moderate irritations rather than serious crises. Often implies preventable or unnecessary trouble. Can refer to both the situation (noun) and the act of creating it (verb).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. Slightly more common in American English as a verb ('Don't hassle me'). The noun form is universally common.
Connotations
Universally informal, sometimes with a slight tone of complaint or mild exasperation.
Frequency
High frequency in both spoken and informal written contexts in the US and UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It's a hassle to + INFto hassle someone for somethingto hassle someone into doing somethingwithout (any) hassleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth the hassle”
- “Hassle-free”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We aim to provide a hassle-free returns policy for our customers."
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in informal student discourse about administrative processes.
Everyday
"Parking in the city centre is such a hassle on Saturdays."
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ticket inspector won't hassle you if you have the correct fare.
- He's always hassling the landlord about repairs.
American English
- The paparazzi hassle celebrities for photos.
- Don't hassle me, I'm working on it.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- We offer a hassle-free claims process.
- It was a very hassle-filled experience.
American English
- Look for a hassle-free installation service.
- Moving house is notoriously hassle-heavy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The new phone was easy to set up, no hassle at all.
- It's a hassle to carry a big umbrella.
- Getting a visa involved a lot of paperwork and hassle.
- My brother keeps hassling me to lend him my bike.
- The bureaucratic hassle of opening a business here is discouraging.
- The journalist was hassled by officials for asking difficult questions.
- Despite the initial hassle of negotiations, the merger proceeded hassle-free.
- He felt constantly hassled by the unrelenting demands of his creditors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tangled, annoying HASSe (horse's hair) that you have to L-E (untangle). A HASSLE is like untangling a messy problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE PHYSICAL OBSTACLES / IRRITANTS (navigate a hassle, avoid the hassle)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as "хасл" (non-existent). Not equivalent to serious "проблема" or "беда". Closer to "головная боль", "морока", "неприятность", "возня". The verb 'to hassle' is close to "приставать", "доставать", "надоедать".
Common Mistakes
- Using it in overly formal contexts (e.g., a legal document). Confusing it with 'tussle' (a physical fight). Incorrect: 'It was a big hassle, my house burned down.' (too severe).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'hassle' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'hassle' is an informal, colloquial word. It's common in speech and informal writing but should be avoided in very formal texts.
Yes. As a verb, it means to annoy, bother, or pressure someone persistently (e.g., 'Stop hassling me!').
A 'hassle' is a specific type of problem – one that is irritating, inconvenient, and often involves unnecessary effort or bureaucracy. A 'problem' is a broader, more neutral term for any difficulty.
It's a common compound adjective meaning 'easy and without any difficulty or annoyance' (e.g., 'hassle-free shopping', 'hassle-free returns').
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