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Added 9 October 2026

bother

/ˈbɔðə(ɹ)/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bother at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An angry disturbance.
he didn't want to make a fuss
Something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness.
washing dishes was a nuisance before we got a dish washer

verb

Take the trouble to do something; concern oneself.
He did not trouble to call his mother on her birthday
Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations.
Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
To cause inconvenience or discomfort to.
Sorry to trouble you, but...

Origin

Borrowed from Scots bauther, bather (“to bother”). Origin unknown. Perhaps related to Scots pother (“to make a stir or commotion, bustle”), also of unknown origin. Compare English pother (“to poke, prod”), variant of potter (“to poke”). More at potter. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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