Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Annoyingly troublesome or irritating: Describes something or someone that causes persistent minor annoyance or inconvenience.
   • Bothersome: Something that is persistently irritating or a nuisance.

Usage

• As an adjective modifying a noun: "Pesky" is used directly before a noun to describe it as a source of irritation.

  • I can't seem to get rid of this pesky cough.
  • The pesky flies kept buzzing around the picnic food.

• Predicative use (less common): It can follow a linking verb like "is," "was," or "seems."

  • The problem was particularly pesky and hard to solve.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Pesky little...": A common collocation used to emphasize that something is both small and irritating.
  • Those pesky little weeds keep growing back in the garden.
• Used informally, often with a tone of mild, exasperated frustration rather than serious anger.

Variants and Related Words

• Pest (n): An annoying person or thing; a destructive insect or animal.
  • That child is being a real pest.
• Pester (v): To bother someone with persistent requests or interruptions.
  • The fans pestered the celebrity for autographs.

Synonyms

• Annoying: Causing irritation or mild anger.
• Bothersome: Causing trouble or annoyance.
• Irritating: Provoking impatience or displeasure.
• Nettlesome: Causing annoyance or vexation.
• Vexing: Causing annoyance, frustration, or worry.

Antonyms

• Pleasant: Giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.
• Agreeable: Enjoyable and pleasurable; pleasant.
• Delightful: Causing delight; charming.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• A pesky problem: A minor but persistent and irritating issue.
  • Configuring the new software was a pesky problem that took hours.
• Pesky as a...: A simile structure used for emphasis.
  • The door-to-door salesman was as pesky as a fly you can't swat.

Adjective

1. causing irritation or annoyance
   • tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork
   • aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
   • found it galling to have to ask permission
   • an irritating delay
   • nettlesome paperwork
   • a pesky mosquito
   • swarms of pestering gnats
   • a plaguey newfangled safety catch
   • a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him
   • a vexatious child
   • it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong