pester
B2Informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To annoy or bother someone repeatedly with requests, questions, or interruptions.
To harass or trouble persistently; to cause repeated, nagging annoyance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries an implication of repetitive, irritating behaviour over a period, often in a trivial context. Can describe the actions of children, salespeople, media, or bureaucracy. Less severe than 'harass' or 'torment' but more sustained than 'annoy'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage; 'pester' is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Same core connotation of nagging, persistent annoyance.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Somebody] pestered [somebody].[Somebody] pestered [somebody] for [something].[Somebody] pestered [somebody] to [do something].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pester power (the influence children exert by repeatedly asking for something).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe persistent, annoying sales tactics or customer demands. (e.g., 'We were pestered by cold calls all day.')
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; more likely in sociology or marketing discussing consumer/child behaviour.
Everyday
Very common, especially describing children's behaviour or persistent requests from friends/family.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The children wouldn't stop pestering for sweets.
- He's been pestering the council about the parking issue for weeks.
- Don't pester your sister while she's revising.
American English
- The kids kept pestering me to buy them a video game.
- I had to unsubscribe because the company pestered me with daily emails.
- Reporters pestered the celebrity for a comment.
adverb
British English
- He asked pesteringly for a raise.
American English
- The child tugged at her sleeve pesteringly.
adjective
British English
- His pestering questions became tiresome.
- We finally gave in to their pestering demands.
American English
- The pestering phone calls finally stopped.
- She used a pestering tone until he agreed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My little brother pesters me when I watch TV.
- Please stop pestering the dog.
- The students pestered the teacher to cancel the test.
- He's always pestering his parents for a new bike.
- Journalists pestered the minister with questions about the scandal.
- I felt pestered by the constant notifications on my phone.
- Bureaucratic red tape pestered the project at every turn, causing significant delays.
- She was relentlessly pestered by paparazzi, which took a toll on her mental health.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a persistent PEST (like a fly) that won't leave you alone. PEST-er.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANNOYANCE IS A PEST / BOTHERING IS PHYSICAL PRESSURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly using 'доставать' or 'надоедать' in all contexts; these are broader. 'Pester' specifically implies repetitive action.
- Not a direct equivalent of 'приставать' in its physical sense.
- Can be confused with 'pest' (вредитель), but 'to pester' is verbal annoyance.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'pester' (repetitive annoyance) with 'bother' (single or general annoyance).
- Using it for severe harassment ('He was pestered at work' is weak for serious bullying).
- Incorrect preposition: 'pester about' is less common than 'pester for' or 'pester with'.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best illustrates the meaning of 'pester'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Annoy' is broader and can be a one-off event. 'Pester' implies repeated, nagging actions over time.
It's generally too informal for formal writing. 'Harass', 'badger', or 'press repeatedly' are more suitable alternatives in such contexts.
Yes, it describes unwanted, irritating behaviour. Even in playful contexts ('the puppy pestered me to play'), it frames the action as somewhat excessive.
The gerund 'pestering' acts as a noun (e.g., 'the constant pestering'). There is no common standalone noun like 'pesterment'.