irritate
B2neutral (used in both formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
to make someone annoyed or slightly angry
to cause physical discomfort or inflammation; to provoke a negative reaction in a person, animal, or body part
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a repeated or persistent action that gradually wears on patience. Can refer to both emotional and physical states (e.g., skin irritation). Less intense than 'infuriate' or 'enrage'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in American English than synonyms like 'annoy'; in British English, it's common in both casual and formal registers.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English corpora, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[irritate + object][irritate + object + with + noun phrase][be irritated by + agent]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rub someone up the wrong way (similar meaning)”
- “get on someone's nerves (similar meaning)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe frustrating processes or counterproductive behaviours: 'The constant software updates irritate the team and reduce productivity.'
Academic
Common in medical/biological contexts: 'The chemical compound may irritate mucous membranes.' Also in social sciences: 'Paternalistic policies can irritate the local population.'
Everyday
Frequently used for minor annoyances: 'His habit of clicking pens really irritates me.'
Technical
In dermatology/medicine: 'The fabric can irritate sensitive skin.' In engineering: 'Fine particulates irritate the machinery's moving parts.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The delay irritated the passengers.
- Wool tends to irritate my skin.
- He irritated her with his constant humming.
American English
- His attitude really irritates me.
- The smoke irritated my eyes.
- She was irritated by the lack of progress.
adverb
British English
- He said irritably, 'Not again.'
- She sighed irritatingly.
American English
- He spoke irritably.
- The machine beeped irritatingly every minute.
adjective
British English
- irritating noise
- irritated response
- highly irritating habit
American English
- irritating delay
- irritated skin
- deeply irritating behaviour
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Loud noises irritate my dog.
- The tag on my shirt irritates my neck.
- It irritates me when people are late.
- The new soap irritated her skin.
- His condescending tone never fails to irritate the entire team.
- Pollen can irritate the respiratory system.
- The government's prevarication began to irritate even its staunchest supporters.
- Certain additives may irritate the gastric lining.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a repetitive IRRIgation system that TATEs (annoys) you by dripping constantly – it IRRITATES you.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANNOYANCE IS PHYSICAL IRRITATION (e.g., 'He gets under my skin', 'It's a thorn in my side')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'раздражать' in all contexts – 'irritate' is less intense than 'раздражать' in emotional sense.
- Do not use 'irritate' for strong anger – use 'infuriate' or 'enrage' instead.
- Remember that 'irritate' can be physical (skin) and emotional.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'irritate' when 'anger' is meant (overstatement).
- Misspelling as 'irrate' or 'irritaded'.
- Using without an object incorrectly: 'He irritates' (needs context or object).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'irritate' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Irritate' often suggests a repeated, grating action that builds annoyance, and can be physical. 'Annoy' is slightly more general and common in everyday speech.
No, it's commonly used for both emotional states ('He irritates me') and physical conditions ('The lotion irritates my skin').
It's neutral; appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, though in casual speech 'annoy' or 'bother' might be more frequent.
'Irritation' (for both emotional and physical senses) and 'irritant' (something that causes irritation).