irritate - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
irritate Word Meanings
- bothered or annoyed
- made to feel uncomfortable
- provoked anger or displeasure
irritate Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
irritate Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɪr.ɪ.teɪt/
US
/ˈɪr.ɪ.teɪt/
irritate Word Etymology
irritate = ir- (not) + ritat (to make steady, fixed) from Latin. Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine a person being poked repeatedly, making them feel annoyed and uncomfortable.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Irritate means to bother or annoy someone, or to cause them to feel uncomfortable or angry. It can describe small, repeated actions that annoy a person, such as tapping a pencil or asking the same question, as well as more general feelings of irritation in response to a difficult situation. The word is transitive, so you irritate someone or something irritates you, and the noun form irritation refers to the state of being irritated. In everyday use, you may say a noise irritates you or that a person irritates you with their constant interruptions.
Usage Reminders
- Use irritate with people or feelings, not with objects.
- Irritate is transitive: you irritate someone; be irritated describes a feeling.
- Irritating describes something that causes irritation; irritated describes a person who feels irritated.
- Common collocations: irritate someone, be irritated by something, irritation as a noun.
- Avoid confusing with aggravate (add to a problem) or annoy (milder or more general).
Common Misconceptions
- Irritate always means a serious or harmful action
- Only people can irritate others, not objects or sounds
- Irritate and irritate yourself are common phrases
- It always refers to anger, never to mild annoyance
- Irritate is the same as annoy in all contexts
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate irritate (a verb of causing annoyance) from be irritated (a feeling) and from adjectives like irritating; many learners mix up the subject causing irritation with the one who experiences it.
Learning Tips
- Practice with people and objects to see subtle differences
- Note the verb form irritate with a direct object
- Learn irritated vs irritating vs irritation
- Use be irritated by for ongoing annoyance
- Differentiate annoy and irritate by intensity
- Listen for collocations like irritate someone or be irritated by loud noise
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
Which of the following is the best definition of 'irritate'?
A.To heal a wound or reduce pain
B.To make someone annoyed or impatient
C.To completely destroy or ruin something
D.To praise someone enthusiastically
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'irritate' correctly?
A.The bright paint irritated the room and made it look smaller.
B.He irritated the baby to sleep with a gentle lullaby.
C.The constant dripping of the faucet began to irritate me.
D.The teacher irritated the students' test scores.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to 'irritate'?
A.comfort
B.annoy
C.admire
D.destroy
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is an opposite of 'irritate'?
A.inflame
B.aggravate
C.soothe
D.encourage
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where 'irritate' would be the right verb to describe the situation?
A.A doctor prescribes medication that reduces swelling and eases pain.
B.A roommate plays loud music late at night and you start to get annoyed.
C.A friend surprises you with a thoughtful gift that makes you happy.
D.You fix a broken shelf so it holds the books safely.
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App