bother

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Usage notes 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 Interjection 1.5.1 Synonyms 1.5.2 Translations 1.6 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Possibly of Irish origin.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /'bɑðɚ/
• (UK) IPA: /ˈbɒðə/
•  Audio (UK)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -ɒðə(r)

[edit] Verb

to bother (third-person singular simple present bothers, present participle bothering, simple past and past participle bothered)

1. (transitive) To annoy, to disturb, to irritate.

   Would it bother you if I smoked?

2. (intransitive) To do something at one's own inconvenience.

   Why do I even bother to try?

3. (intransitive) To do something which is of negligible inconvenience.

   You didn't even bother to close the door.

[edit] Synonyms

• (annoy, disturb): annoy, disturb, irritate, put out, vex
• See also Wikisaurus:annoy

[edit] Usage notes

• This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

bother (countable and uncountable; plural bothers)

1. Fuss, ado.

   There was a bit of bother at the hairdresser's when they couldn't find my appointment in the book.

2. Trouble, inconvenience.

   Yes, I can do that for you - it's no bother.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Interjection

bother!

1. A mild expression of annoyance.
   • 1926, A A M
     

ilne, Winnie the Pooh, Methuen & Co., Ltd., Chapter 2 ...in which Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place:

1. • "Oh, help!" said Pooh. "I'd better go back."

     "Oh, bother!" said Pooh. "I shall have to go on."

     "I can't do either!" said Pooh. "Oh, help and bother!"

[edit] Synonyms

• blast, dang (US), darn

[edit] Translations

• Arabic: يضايق , يزعج
• French: zut!

[edit] Related terms

• be bothered
• bothered
• bothersome