verb
irritate
IHR-ih-tayt
verb
1
To annoy or make someone impatient or angry.
"His constant tapping on the desk irritates me."
"It irritates her when people interrupt."
2
To cause soreness, redness, or discomfort in part of the body.
"The wool sweater irritated his skin."
How to Use Irritate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo annoy someone, or to cause physical soreness or discomfort.
Common pairings
irritate the skin
it really irritates me
Word Forms
irritated past tense, irritated past tense, irritates singular, irritates singular
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Etymology
From Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare, "to excite or provoke."