annoying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'annoying' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is causing irritation or frustration. Example: His constant whining was really annoying.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's really annoying.

The Guardian

And it's annoying because it's the most intangible.

The Guardian - Sport

You want to be familiar, but not annoying, so give them a call once a week to let them know your availability.

The Guardian

If it's true – and not one of those annoying Alison Jackson lookalike stunts that end up intermittently being shoehorned into newspapers when there's nothing else to talk about – the shame they'll both feel this morning will be profound.

The Guardian

"I know I sound annoying, but I'm enriching these people's lives by teaching them this!" announces Jamie, before flying off to save other corners of Rotherham from Type 2 diabetes.

The Guardian

Eat one every time she says something annoying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, Exodus: Gods and Kings has been annoying people since before its release, notably when it announced an almost entirely white cast to play its Middle Eastern and African characters.

The Guardian - Film

A bogey on the 9th was particularly annoying for him.

The Guardian - Sport

With two sets of teeth and an abundance of hair, Fizzgig proves to be a useful, if occasionally annoying sidekick to The Dark Crystal's two heroes.

The Guardian - Film

Barlow accuses the Conservatives of hollowing out Canadian civil society, cancelling thousands of programmes, rescinding grants, removing regulations, shutting institutions and rescinding the tax-exempt status of annoying charities.

The Guardian

Of course it is annoying and very frustrating – and maddening when providers simply blame each other.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "annoying" to describe a recurring behavior or situation that causes irritation. For instance, "The constant notifications from that app are incredibly annoying."

Common error

While "annoying" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more precise synonyms like "problematic", "vexing", or "detrimental" to convey the specific nature of the issue.

Linguistic Context

The word "annoying" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes irritation or displeasure. Ludwig indicates that the term is widely used and accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "annoying" functions as an adjective to describe something that causes irritation or displeasure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, and less so in Encyclopedias, Wiki and Reference contexts. To enhance your writing, consider synonyms like "irritating", "bothersome", or "vexing", but avoid overusing "annoying" in highly formal settings. Remember, while expressing displeasure is natural, selecting the right word will make your writing more impactful and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irritating

Direct synonym, emphasizing the capacity to cause irritation.

bothersome

Indicates something that causes trouble or inconvenience.

vexing

Suggests a higher degree of frustration and difficulty to deal with.

troublesome

Focuses on the problems or difficulties caused.

aggravating

Emphasizes the increase in irritation over time.

exasperating

Highlights the feeling of intense frustration and impatience.

maddening

Implies a level of frustration that can lead to anger.

infuriating

Denotes something that causes intense anger and rage.

disturbing

Highlights the disruption and unease caused.

unpleasant

A more general term indicating something disagreeable.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "annoying"?

You can use alternatives like "irritating", "bothersome", or "vexing" depending on the context.

How to use "annoying" in a sentence?

You can use "annoying" to describe something that causes irritation. For example, "His habit of interrupting is very annoying".

What's the difference between "annoying" and "irritating"?

"Annoying" and "irritating" are often interchangeable, but "irritating" can sometimes imply a stronger, more persistent form of annoyance. Both describe something that causes displeasure, but the intensity can vary slightly.

Is it correct to say "that's annoying"?

Yes, it is correct to say "that's annoying". It's a common and perfectly acceptable way to express your displeasure or irritation about something.