bother
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Possibly of Irish origin.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to bother (third-person singular simple present bothers, present participle bothering, simple past and past participle bothered)
- (transitive) To annoy, to disturb, to irritate.
- Would it bother you if I smoked?
- (intransitive) To do something at one's own inconvenience.
- Why do I even bother to try?
- (intransitive) To do something which is of negligible inconvenience.
- You didn't even bother to close the door.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Usage notes
- This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. See Appendix:English catenative verbs
[edit] Translations
to annoy, disturb
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to do something at one's own inconvenience
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to do something which is of negligible inconvenience
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[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
bother (countable and uncountable; plural bothers)
- Fuss, ado.
- There was a bit of bother at the hairdresser's when they couldn't find my appointment in the book.
- Trouble, inconvenience.
- Yes, I can do that for you - it's no bother.
[edit] Translations
fuss, ado
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trouble, inconvenience
[edit] Interjection
bother!
- A mild expression of annoyance.
- 1926, A A M
- 1926, A A M
ilne, Winnie the Pooh, Methuen & Co., Ltd., Chapter 2 ...in which Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place:
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- "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!"
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