Definition

1. Noun:

   • A source of annoyance or trouble: "Bother" refers to something or someone that causes minor trouble, inconvenience, or unhappiness.
   • A state of worry or disturbance: "Bother" can also refer to a state of agitation, fuss, or worry.

2. Verb:

   • To cause annoyance or irritation: To disturb or irritate someone, often in a minor way.
   • To cause worry or agitation: To make someone feel anxious, nervous, or concerned.
   • To take the trouble to do something: To make an effort or concern oneself with a task.
   • To intrude upon: To disturb someone, especially by approaching them uninvited.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The constant noise from the construction site is such a bother. (It is a source of annoyance.)
  • He caused quite a bother when he lost his keys. (He caused a fuss or disturbance.)
  • It's not worth the bother. (It's not worth the trouble or effort.)

• Verb:

  • Does the loud music bother you? (Does it annoy or disturb you?)
  • Don't let his criticism bother you. (Don't let it worry or upset you.)
  • He didn't even bother to reply to the email. (He did not take the trouble to reply.)
  • I'm sorry to bother you, but could you help me? (I'm sorry to disturb or intrude on you.)

Advanced Usage

• "Can't be bothered": Used to express a lack of willingness to make the effort to do something.
  • I know I should clean my room, but I just can't be bothered.
• "Hot and bothered": An idiom meaning flustered, agitated, or angry.
  • He got all hot and bothered when he couldn't find the report.

Variants and Related Words

• Bothersome (adj): Causing annoyance or trouble; irritating.
  • The bothersome fly kept buzzing around my head.
• Botheration (n, old-fashioned): Annoyance or trouble (used as an exclamation of mild irritation).
  • Botheration! I've locked my keys in the car again.

Synonyms

• Annoy: To cause slight anger or irritation.
• Disturb: To interrupt the peace, quiet, or order of.
• Trouble: To cause inconvenience, worry, or distress.
• Irritate: To provoke impatience, anger, or displeasure.
• Worry: To cause to feel anxious or troubled.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bother with: To take the trouble to deal with or consider something.
  • Don't bother with the details right now; just give me the main idea.
• Bother about (UK English): To worry or be concerned about something.
  • Don't bother about me; I'll be fine.

Related Idioms

• "Not bother one's head about": To not worry or concern oneself with something.
  • It's not our problem, so let's not bother our heads about it.
• "A spot of bother" (mainly UK): A minor problem or troublesome situation.
  • We had a spot of bother with the car on the way here.

Noun

1. something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness
   • washing dishes was a nuisance before we got a dish washer
   • a bit of a bother
   • he's not a friend, he's an infliction
2. an angry disturbance
   • he didn't want to make a fuss
   • they had labor trouble
   • a spot of bother

Verb

1. make confused or perplexed or puzzled
2. make nervous or agitated
   • The mere thought of her bothered him and made his heart beat faster
3. intrude or enter uninvited
   • Don't bother the professor while she is grading term papers
4. to cause inconvenience or discomfort to
   • Sorry to trouble you, but...
5. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
   • Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
   • It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
6. take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
   • He did not trouble to call his mother on her birthday
   • Don't bother, please