irked

IPA/ˈɜːkt/
KK[ˈɚkt]IPA/ˈərkt/

irked — adjective

  • irkedpositive
  • irkedercomparative
  • irkedestsuperlative

1. feeling annoyed because something small but repeated has tested your patience or

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

feeling annoyed because something small but repeated has tested your patience or seemed inconsiderate

Example

Lara looked irked when the waiter forgot her tea again.

look irked after a repeated small mistake

Sumin sounded irked that the meeting had started without her.

be irked that + clause

Common collocations
  • look irked
  • sound irked
  • irked by delays
  • a little irked
  • visibly irked
Synonyms
  • annoyed

    the most general everyday choice, with less of a fussy or mildly offended tone

  • irritated

    often sounds a little sharper or more openly impatient

  • bothered

    weaker and broader, often used for discomfort as well as annoyance

Antonyms
  • pleased

    feeling satisfied rather than mildly annoyed

  • unbothered

    not letting the irritation affect you

Grammar Patterns

be irked by + noun

be irked at + situation

be irked that + clause

Usage Note

Often used for a mild to medium reaction to repeated delay, rudeness, or carelessness rather than one dramatic event. It is more conversational and slightly lighter than furious or outraged.

Common Mistakes

I was irked by the city after moving there.
I was irked by the city's rude parking rules.
irked usually points to a specific annoyance, not to a whole place in general.
The math problem is irked.
The math problem is annoying.' / 'I am irked by the math problem.
irked describes the person's reaction, not the thing causing it.

Word family

  • irk
    verbC1
  • irksome
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Irked, annoyed, irritated, and bothered all describe negative reactions, but they are not identical. Irked often suggests a smaller problem that keeps getting under your skin, so it can sound slightly dry or understated. Annoyed is the broad everyday choice for almost any kind of irritation. Irritated usually sounds sharper and more impatient, especially when someone is close to losing patience. Bothered is weaker and wider: it can mean mildly annoyed, worried, or simply affected. If a waiter forgets your tea twice, you might feel irked; if a stranger keeps pushing past you in line, you may feel irritated. For a neutral all-purpose word, annoyed is usually the safest choice.

irked ↗annoyed ↗irritated ↗bothered ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • look irked
  • sound irked
  • get irked by

Prepositions