nuisance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nuisance" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is irritating and annoying. For example, "The neighbors' loud music is a real nuisance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They can still occasionally be a nuisance in terms of strikes, which are hard to justify beyond a narrow sectional interest and often not even then.

The Guardian

At last the regulators are planning to clamp down on nuisance phone calls and "hold executives to account".

The Guardian - Money

"It is a nuisance which is, or is liable to be, dangerous to health".

The Guardian

A key 1957 case of public nuisance stated that: "A nuisance is a public nuisance if, within its sphere, which is the neighbourhood, it materially affects the reasonable comfort and convenience of life of a class of Her Majesty's subjects".

The Guardian - Opinion

In truth, the occasional battering is a nuisance but, hey, life goes on.

The Guardian - Travel

I hope that you believe you are acting in good faith; that you are simply motivated by the need to respond to the threats of terrorism and organised crime and the nuisance of anti-social behaviour, but I wonder if you have any idea of the cumulative effect of the 15 or so bills which have incrementally removed or compromised our liberties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trenton Oldfield, who disrupted the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in April this year to protest against inequality, was sentenced to six months in jail for the offence of "public nuisance".

The Guardian - Opinion

The 49-year-old was arrested and given a notice to appear for public nuisance.

The Guardian

I never used violence, but I taught people how to be a nuisance".

The Guardian

These interests are materially based and cause problems well beyond the petty nuisance of snoring.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hanks said the council had a "far too narrow" view of what constituted a nuisance, believing it only applied to behaviour that involved physically blocking the entry to the clinic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "nuisance" to denote something that is legally actionable, such as a public "nuisance".

Common error

While "nuisance" can refer to general annoyances, be aware of its specific legal meaning. Ensure your usage aligns with the intended context to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The word "nuisance" primarily functions as a noun, referring to something or someone that causes annoyance, inconvenience, or harm. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across diverse contexts. The word is commonly used to describe both tangible and intangible sources of irritation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "nuisance" is a versatile noun denoting something annoying, inconvenient, or harmful. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media to describe various problems and irritations. Grammatically correct and common, "nuisance" can also carry legal connotations, particularly when referring to public "nuisances". When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, such as "annoyance" for general irritation or "inconvenience" for minor disruptions. Ludwig AI confirms that "nuisance" is a correct and usable word, widely accepted in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoyance

Replaces "nuisance" with a more general term for irritation.

inconvenience

Focuses on the troublesome aspect of something being a "nuisance".

bother

Suggests a mild form of trouble or irritation.

pest

Implies something is persistently annoying and difficult to get rid of.

problem

Broadens the scope to include any source of difficulty or trouble.

headache

Conveys the feeling of stress and difficulty caused by something.

irritation

Highlights the frustrating and annoying aspect.

vexation

A more formal way to describe something causing annoyance.

trouble

A basic term for something causing difficulty or distress.

burden

Emphasizes the weight and difficulty something adds to a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "nuisance" in a sentence?

You can use "nuisance" to describe something or someone that is annoying or causes trouble. For example, "The construction noise is a real "nuisance"." You can also refer to something that is legally actionable, such as a public "nuisance".

What are some alternatives to the word "nuisance"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "annoyance", "inconvenience", "bother", or "pest".

What is the difference between "nuisance" and "inconvenience"?

"Nuisance" often implies a more persistent or significant source of annoyance compared to "inconvenience", which may be a temporary or minor disruption.

When is it appropriate to use "nuisance" in a legal context?

"Nuisance" is used in law to describe something that unreasonably interferes with another's use or enjoyment of property, or that endangers life or health, obstructs the public, or offends public sensibilities. This is often referred to as 'public "nuisance"'.