irritate

/ˈɪrɪteɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪrɪteɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈir-ə-ˌtāt/ (ame, mw)

irritate — verb

  • irritatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • irritateshe / she / it
  • irritatedpast simple
  • irritating-ing form

1. to cause someone to feel bothered or slightly angry, especially because of somet

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to cause someone to feel bothered or slightly angry, especially because of something that happens repeatedly or continues for a while

例句

Daichi's habit of tapping his pen on the desk began to irritate his classmates.

'habit of + V-ing' as the subject causing irritation

The loud music from the party next door irritated the whole street until midnight.

同義詞
  • annoy

    slightly milder and more general than irritate

  • bother

    less formal; suggests a nuisance rather than anger

  • aggravate

    more informal than irritate; can also mean 'make worse' in formal English

反義詞
  • please

    to cause a feeling of satisfaction or happiness, opposite of annoying someone

文法句型

irritate + person

irritate + person + with/by + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Often describes irritation caused by repeated or ongoing actions rather than a single event. The subject is commonly a habit, a situation, or another person's behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌His constant questions aggravated the situation when I needed to work.
✅His constant questions irritated me when I needed to work.
💡'aggravate' traditionally means 'make worse'; for 'annoy,' use 'irritate.'

2. to cause soreness or discomfort in a particular area of the body, often as a rea

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to cause soreness or discomfort in a particular area of the body, often as a reaction to rubbing, chemicals, or harsh materials

例句

The rough fabric of the new shirt irritated Saira's skin after only an hour.

'irritate + body part (skin)' showing physical discomfort

Yasmin's eyes became red and irritated because of the smoke from the campfire.

passive: 'became irritated' as a physical state

同義詞
  • chafe

    specifically refers to irritation caused by rubbing

  • inflame

    more intense; refers to redness, swelling, and heat in body tissue

反義詞
  • soothe

    to relieve or calm an irritated or painful area

文法句型

irritate + body part

become/get irritated

用法筆記

Commonly used for skin, eyes, throat, or wounds. The irritation is typically mild to moderate, not severe pain. Frequently appears in medical contexts involving allergies, friction, or chemical reactions.

常見錯誤

❌The chemical hurt my hands badly.
✅The chemical irritated my skin.
💡'hurt' suggests serious pain; 'irritate' describes a milder, uncomfortable reaction like redness or soreness.