First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1irk
verb \ˈərk\
: to bother or annoy (someone)
Full Definition of IRK
transitive verb
: to make weary, irritated, or bored
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Origin of IRK
Middle English
Related to IRK
Synonym Discussion of IRK
annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure. annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness <their constant complaining annoys us>. vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety <vexed by her son's failure to clean his room>. irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit <careless waste irks the boss>. bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind <don't bother me while I'm reading>.
2irk
noun
Definition of IRK
1
: the fact of being annoying
2
: a source of annoyance
First Known Use of IRK
circa 1570
Related to IRK
- Synonyms
- aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, annoyance, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation
IRK Defined for Kids
irk
verb \ˈərk\
irkedirk·ing
Definition of IRK for Kids
: annoy <That noise irks me.>
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