irritationir‧ri‧ta‧tion /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/ noun 
The heavy traffic is a constant source of irritation.irritation at/with The doctor’s irritation at being interrupted showed.2[countable] something that makes you annoyed: The children are just an irritation for him when he’s trying to work.3[countable, uncountable] a painful sore feeling on a part of your body: The astringent can cause irritation to sensitive skin. a throat irritation
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Attwood's metallic music was an irritation.
- Bailey expressed irritation with the inaccurate reports in the media.
- The heavy traffic is a constant source of irritation.
- But if the behaviour is repeated, and by the same fish, something is causing irritation and needs investigation.
- He turned towards her, but the blankets entangled his legs and he fought his eyes open in irritation.
- Protocol 2 studied the phenomenon of adaptive cytoprotection in response to mild irritation of the duodenal mucosa in the three experimental groups.
- So if you imagine that orders and irritation are going to intimidate me you're in for a big surprise!
- The ringing of the telephone came as a distinct irritation.
- There is a lesser one, which still remains an irritation.
THESAURUS
a strong emotion that you feel because someone has behaved badly or because a situation seems bad or unfair: · Andrea still feels a lot of anger towards her mom, who left when she was a little girl.· I’ve said some things in anger that have almost cost me my marriage.
slight anger or impatience: · He expressed annoyance at the way his comments had been misinterpreted.· The meetings were held in secret, much to the annoyance of some members of Congress.
a feeling of being annoyed and impatient, especially because something keeps happening or someone keeps saying something: · He could not hide his irritation at her persistent questioning.· Unwanted sales calls are a source of irritation for many people.
a feeling of being annoyed, especially because you cannot do what you want or because you cannot change or control a situation: · You can imagine my frustration when I found out that the next bus didn’t leave till 4 hours later.· There is a growing sense of frustration over the situation in Burma.· The government has expressed frustration at the slow legal process.
a feeling of being very annoyed because you cannot control a situation, learn to do something, or understand something, even though you are trying very hard: · Isaac sighed in exasperation.· Exasperation at the team’s lack of success was evident among the fans.
anger because you think you are being treated badly or unfairly: · The sudden increase in the numbers of immigrants has caused resentment among local people.
anger and surprise about an unfair situation: · His voice sounded full of indignation.· The scandal caused righteous indignation among opposition politicians.
anger between two people because of something that has happened: · I had no ill feeling towards him.
British English, rancor American English formal a feeling of anger and hatred towards someone who you cannot forgive because they harmed you in the past: · Even though he had lost the court case, he had shown no rancour.
formal anger, especially anger that is unreasonable: · He vented his spleen (=said why he was angry)against the airline in an article in the Times.
Longman Language Activatorangry feelings · He was finding it difficult to control his anger.· Sandra helped us deal with the grief and anger we felt over Patrick's death.feel anger towards · Andrea still feels a lot of anger towards her mom, who left when she was a little girl.do something in anger · I've said some things in anger that have almost cost my marriage.
slight anger or impatience: · It's such an annoyance to have to drive you everywhere.much to the annoyance of somebody: · I like to stay up late most nights, much to the annoyance of my girlfriend.· The meetings were held in secret, much to the annoyance of some members of Congress.
someone who has a temper has a tendency to become very angry suddenly: · Jill needs to learn to control her temper.· His wife left him because of his violent temper.bad temper: · There's one thing about Don that you should know - he's got a really bad temper.
a very strong feeling of anger that someone has that is either very difficult for them to control or is expressed very suddenly or violently: fly into a rage (=to suddenly became very angry): · When we accused him of lying, he flew into a rage.shake with rage (=to be so angry, you shake): · Vera's hands shook with rage as she read the letter.in a blind/jealous/terrible rage: · Brown killed his wife in a jealous rage.
the feeling of being annoyed, caused especially by a difficult or unpleasant situation that you are unable to change or control: · Students have spoken of their growing frustration with school administrators.· The discussion sessions help patients deal with some of the frustrations they may be feeling.
a feeling of anger because you feel that you are being treated badly or unfairly, and cannot do anything about it: · Patricia stared at the other girls with resentment.· Resentment and jealousy can often build up in relationships.resentment at/against/of: · She couldn't let go of her resentment over the divorce.
a feeling of extreme anger at something wrong, unfair, or immoral, especially among members of the public: · Several parents of affected children have written to the Prime Minister to express their outrage.· Any attempts to lessen his prison sentence will cause public outrage.
the feeling of being annoyed, caused especially by someone or something that is repeatedly annoying: irritation with: · Bailey expressed irritation with the inaccurate reports in the media.a source of irritation (=something that causes irritation): · The heavy traffic is a constant source of irritation.
the feeling of being very annoyed because you cannot control a situation, learn to do something, or understand something, even though you are trying very hard: exasperation with: · Many people express exasperation with the National Health Service, but most seem to prefer it to a private system.in exasperation: · He pounded the desk in exasperation.
WORD SETSabscess, nounache, verbache, nounacne, nounagoraphobia, nounagoraphobic, nounague, noun-aholic, suffixAIDS, nounailment, nounairsick, adjectivealbino, nounalcoholic, nounalcoholism, nounallergic, adjectiveallergy, nounamnesia, nounamputee, nounanaemia, nounanaemic, adjectiveangina, nounanorexia, nounanorexic, adjectiveantacid, nounanthrax, nounantibody, nounantidepressant, nounantidote, nounantigen, nounantihistamine, nounanti-inflammatory, adjectiveantitoxin, nounapoplectic, adjectiveapoplexy, nounappendicitis, nounarteriosclerosis, nounarthritis, nounaseptic, adjectiveaspirin, nounasthma, nounastigmatism, nounasymptomatic, adjectiveathlete's foot, nounatrophy, verbauto-immune disease, nounAyurvedic medicine, nounbaby blues, nounbacillus, nounbackache, nounbark, verbbattle fatigue, nounBCG, nounbedridden, adjectivebedsore, nounbed-wetting, nounbellyache, nounbenign, adjectiveberiberi, nounbespectacled, adjectivebetter, adjectivebilious, adjectivebinge, verbbiopsy, nounbirthmark, nounbite, verbbite, nounblack and blue, adjectiveBlack Death, the, black eye, nounblackout, nounbleed, verbbleeding, nounblind, verbblister, nounblister, verbblood bank, nounblood donor, nounblood poisoning, nounbloodshot, adjectiveblood transfusion, nounbloody, adjectivebloody, verbblue baby, nounboil, nounbotulism, nounbrain damage, nounbreakdown, nounbronchitis, nounbruise, nounbruise, verbBSE, nounbubonic plague, nounbug, nounbulimia, nounbump, nounbunion, nounbuzz, verbcalloused, adjectivecallus, nouncancer, nouncandida, nouncanker, nouncarbuncle, nouncarcinogen, nouncarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinoma, nouncardiac, adjectivecardiovascular, adjectivecaries, nouncarpal tunnel syndrome, nouncarrier, nouncarry, verbcarsick, adjectivecast, nouncasualty, nouncataract, nouncatarrh, nouncatatonic, adjectivecatching, adjectivecauliflower ear, nouncerebral palsy, nouncertify, verbcervical smear, nounchapped, adjectivecharley horse, nounchemotherapy, nounchesty, adjectivechicken pox, nounchilblains, nounChinese medicine, nouncholera, nounchronic, adjectivecirrhosis, nounCJD, nouncleanse, verbcleft palate, nounclinic, nounclinical, adjectiveclub foot, nouncold, nouncold sore, nouncolic, nouncolitis, nouncollapse, verbcolour-blind, adjectivecoma, nouncommon cold, nouncommon denominator, nouncommunicate, verbcomplaint, nouncomplicate, verbcomplication, nouncompound fracture, nounconcuss, verbconcussion, nouncondition, nouncongenital, adjectivecongested, adjectiveconjunctivitis, nounconstipation, nounconsumption, nounconsumptive, nouncontagion, nouncontagious, adjectivecontinent, adjectivecontract, verbcontusion, nounconvalesce, verbconvulsion, nouncorn, nouncortisone, nouncot death, nouncough, nounCPR, nouncrack-up, nouncramp, nounCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease, nouncrick, nouncrick, verbcripple, nouncripple, verbcross-eyed, adjectivecroup, nouncurable, adjectivecut, nouncyst, nouncystic fibrosis, nouncystitis, noundecompression sickness, noundeep vein thrombosis, noundeformity, noundegenerative, adjectivedehydrate, verbdelirious, adjectivedelirium, noundelusion, noundementia, noundengue fever, noundepression, noundermatitis, noundiabetes, noundiabetic, adjectivediabetic, noundiagnosis, noundialysis, noundiaper rash, noundiarrhoea, noundiphtheria, noundisability, noundisable, verbdisabled, adjectivedischarge, verbdisease, noundisgorge, verbdislocate, verbdisorder, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundistemper, noundistend, verbdizzy, adjectivedoddering, adjectivedoddery, adjectivedonate, verbdonor, noundouble vision, noundoughy, adjectivedown, adverbDown's syndrome, noundrawn, adjectivedressing, noundrinker, noundrunk, adjectivedrunk, noundrunken, adjectivedull, adjectivedumb, adjectiveDVT, noundysentery, noundyslexia, noundyspepsia, noundyspeptic, adjectiveearache, nouneating disorder, nounEbola, nounectopic pregnancy, nouneczema, nounemaciated, adjectiveemasculate, verbembolism, nounemphysema, nounencephalitis, nounendoscope, nounenervate, verbenteritis, nounepidemic, nounepilepsy, nounepileptic, adjectiveepileptic, nounetiology, nounexcruciating, adjectiveexposure, nouneyeless, adjectiveeye strain, nounfail, verbfaint, nounfester, verbfever, nounfever blister, nounfevered, adjectivefeverish, adjectivefirst aid, nounfit, nounflat feet, nounflat-footed, adjectiveflu, nounfood poisoning, nounfoot and mouth disease, nounfracture, verbfracture, nounfrostbite, noungall, noungammy, adjectiveganglion, noungangrene, noungas, noungash, noungastric, adjectivegastritis, noungastroenteritis, nounGerman measles, nounget, verbgingivitis, nounglandular fever, nounglaucoma, noungnarled, adjectivegonorrhea, noungout, noungrand mal, noungraze, verbgraze, noungriping, adjectivegroggy, adjectivegrowing pains, noungrowth, noungush, verbgynaecology, nounhacking cough, nounhaemophilia, nounhaemophiliac, nounhaemorrhage, nounhaemorrhage, verbhaemorrhoids, nounhalitosis, nounhandicap, nounhandicapped, adjectivehangover, nounhard of hearing, adjectiveharelip, nounhay fever, nounheadache, nounhealth, nounheart attack, nounheartburn, nounheart disease, nounheart failure, nounheat exhaustion, nounheat rash, nounheatstroke, nounheave, verbhepatitis, nounhernia, nounherpes, nounHIV, nounhormone replacement therapy, nounhospital, nounhospitalize, verbhot flush, nounhousebound, adjectiveHRT, nounhump, nounhumpback, nounhunchback, nounhungover, adjectivehydrophobia, nounhypertension, nounhypothermia, nounhysterectomy, nounhysteria, nounhysterical, adjectiveillness, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nounimmunize, verbimmunology, nounimpacted, adjectiveimpediment, nounimpetigo, nounimpotent, adjectiveincision, nounincontinent, adjectiveincubate, verbincurable, adjectiveindigestion, nounindisposed, adjectiveindisposition, nouninfantile, adjectiveinfantile paralysis, nouninfect, verbinfected, adjectiveinfection, nouninfectious, adjectiveinfirmity, nouninflammation, nouninflammatory, adjectiveinfluenza, nouninfusion, nouningrowing, adjectiveinoculate, verbinoperable, adjectiveinsane, adjectiveinsanity, nouninsomnia, nouninsomniac, nouninstability, nounintensive care, nounintravenous, adjectiveinvalid, nouninvalidity, nouninvasive, adjectiveirregular, adjectiveirritable bowel syndrome, nounirritant, nounirritate, verbirritated, adjectiveirritation, noun-ism, suffixisolation, nounjaundice, nounjaundiced, adjectivejet lag, nounknock-kneed, adjectiveknotted, adjectivelaceration, nounlaryngitis, nounlegionnaire's disease, nounleper, nounleprosy, nounlesion, nounleukemia, nounlisp, nounlisteria, nounliverish, adjectivelockjaw, nounlong-sighted, adjectiveloose, adjectivelozenge, nounlumbago, nounlunacy, nounLyme disease, nounmad cow disease, nounmalady, nounmalaise, nounmalaria, nounmalformation, nounmalignancy, nounmalignant, adjectivemalnourished, adjectivemalnutrition, nounmange, nounmangy, adjectivemania, nounmanic, adjectivemanic depression, nounmastitis, nounME, nounmeasles, nounmedicinal, adjectivemegalomania, nounmegalomaniac, nounmelancholia, nounmelancholic, adjectivemelanoma, nounmend, verbmeningitis, nounmentally handicapped, adjectivemigraine, nounmild, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmole, nounmongol, nounmono, nounmononucleosis, nounmorbid, adjectivemorning sickness, nounmoron, nounmotion sickness, nounmotor neurone disease, nounMRI, nounMRSA, nounMS, nounmultiple sclerosis, nounmumps, nounmurmur, nounmusclebound, adjectivemuscular dystrophy, nounmute, adjectivemute, nounmyopia, nounmyopic, adjectivemyxomatosis, nounnarcolepsy, nounnausea, nounnauseate, verbnauseous, adjectivenearsighted, adjectivenervous breakdown, nounnettle rash, nounneuralgia, nounneurosis, nounneurotic, adjectivenosebleed, nounnotifiable, adjectiveNSU, nounobesity, nounoff-colour, adjectiveoperate, verboperation, nounophthalmic, adjectiveophthalmology, noun-osis, suffixosteoarthritis, nounosteopathy, nounosteoporosis, nounoutpatient, nounoverbite, nounpacemaker, nounpaediatrics, nounpale, adjectivepallid, adjectivepallor, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpalsy, nounpandemic, nounparalyse, verbparalysed, adjectiveparalysis, nounparalytic, adjectiveparalytic, nounparanoia, nounparaplegia, nounparaplegic, nounparasitic, adjectiveParkinson's disease, nounparoxysm, nounpasty, adjectivepasty-faced, adjectivepathogen, nounpathological, adjectivepathology, nounpeaked, adjectivepeaky, adjectivepellagra, nounpeptic ulcer, nounperforated, adjectiveperiod pain, nounperitonitis, nounpernicious anaemia, nounpersecution complex, nounpestilence, nounpestilential, adjectivepetit mal, nounpharyngitis, nounphlebitis, nounphlegm, noun-phobic, suffixphysiotherapy, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepins and needles, nounplacebo, nounplague, nounplaque, nounplaster cast, nounpleurisy, nounPMS, nounPMT, nounpneumonia, nounpockmark, nounpockmarked, adjectivepoisoning, nounpolio, nounpolyp, nounpoor, adjectivepost-traumatic stress disorder, nounpremenstrual tension, nounprescribe, verbprescription, nounpreventive medicine, nounprickle, verbprickly heat, nounprognosis, nounprolapse, nounprophylactic, adjectiveprophylactic, nounprophylaxis, nounpsoriasis, nounpsychopath, nounpsychosis, nounpsychosomatic, adjectivepsychotic, adjectivepuffy, adjectivepull, verbpurulent, adjectivepus, nounpustule, nounqueasy, adjectiverabid, adjectiverabies, nounradiation sickness, nounradiography, nounrash, nounraw, adjectivereact, verbreaction, nounreceive, verbrecuperate, verbrecuperative, adjectiveregurgitate, verbrelapse, verbremission, nounrepetitive strain injury, nounresistance, nounrespond, verbretch, verbRhesus factor, nounrheumatic, adjectiverheumatic fever, nounrheumatism, nounrheumatoid arthritis, nounrickets, nounringworm, nounRSI, nounrubella, nounrun-down, adjectiverunny, adjectiverupture, nounsaddle-sore, adjectivesalmonella, nounscab, nounscabby, adjectivescabies, nounscald, verbscald, nounscaly, adjectivescar, nounscar, verbscarlet fever, nounschizophrenia, nounsciatica, nounsclerosis, nounscrape, verbscrape, nounscratch, nounscurvy, nounseasick, adjectiveseizure, nounself-examination, nounsenile, adjectivesenile dementia, nounsenseless, adjectivesepsis, nounseptic, adjectivesepticaemia, nounserum, nounset, verbsexually transmitted disease, nounshell shock, nounshell-shocked, adjectiveshingles, nounshock, nounshort-sighted, adjectivesickle-cell anaemia, nounsickly, adjectivesickness, nounside effect, nounsightless, adjectivesimple fracture, nounsleeping sickness, nounslipped disc, nounsmallpox, nounsnakebite, nounsnow blindness, nounsore, adjectivesore, nounspastic, adjectivespecial needs, nounspecimen, nounspina bifida, nounsprain, verbsputum, nounsquint, verbsquint, nounstammer, nounstarvation, nounstarve, verbSTD, nounstomachache, nounstone, nounstrain, nounstrain, verbstrangulated, adjectivestrep throat, nounstroke, nounsty, nounsuccumb, verbsufferer, nounsunstroke, nounsuperbug, nounsurgical, adjectiveswelling, nounswollen, adjectivesymptom, nounsymptomatic, adjectivesyndrome, nounsyphilis, nounTB, nountear, verbtetanus, nountherapeutic, adjectivetherapy, nounthrombosis, nounthrush, nountic, nountight, adjectivetingle, verbtinnitus, nountipsy, adjectivetonsillitis, nountoothache, nountorment, nountourniquet, nountoxaemia, nountoxic shock syndrome, nountraction, nountransfusion, nountrauma, nountravel sickness, nountreatment, nountremor, nountuberculosis, nountumour, nountunnel vision, nountwinge, nountwitch, nountyphoid, nountyphus, nounulcer, nounulcerate, verbultrasound, noununderweight, adjectiveundressed, adjectiveunhealthy, adjectiveuntreated, adjectivevaccinate, verbvaccine, nounvaricose veins, nounVD, nounvenereal disease, nounverruca, nounvertigo, nounviral, adjectivevirology, nounvirulent, adjectivevomit, verbvomit, nounwart, nounweak, adjectiveweal, nounweep, verbwheeze, verbwheeze, nounwheezy, adjectivewhiplash, nounwhooping cough, nounwind, nounwithered, adjectivewound, nounwrench, verbwriter's cramp, nounyaws, nounyeast infection, nounyellow fever, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The heavy traffic is a constant source of irritation. The astringent can cause irritation to sensitive skin.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[uncountable] the feeling of being annoyed about something, especially something that happens repeatedly or for a long time: The heavy traffic is a constant source of irritation. The astringent can cause irritation to sensitive skin.· A lot of chemicals can cause skin irritation.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Protocol 2 studied the phenomenon of adaptive cytoprotection in response to mild irritation of the duodenal mucosa in the three experimental groups.· This protocol tested mucosal resistance to acid after mild irritation.
· When an extended family is living together at close quarters, even minor irritations can grow out of all proportion.· Socially adept children are often more forgiving, more likely to overlook minor irritations, and may also model appropriate behaviors.· Which is a minor irritation for the itinerant tourist ... a daily nightmare for the local residents.· Those are just minor stylistic irritations compared to Republican trickle-down economics.· In happy marriages the partners don't make a big deal of minor irritations.· But all of these are minor irritations in the world of the neighborhood swimming pool.
VERB· Though not as deadly as the sea wasp, this jellyfish can cause severe irritation if it stings a human.· Formaldehyde in high concentrations can cause extreme irritation of the eyes, nose and throat if inhaled.· He did pretty well what she wanted with their lives, which caused some occasional irritation.· Initial attempts at moving together in a team often cause frustration and irritation.· Some chemicals cause a direct irritation to the skin leading to dermatitis.
· I felt the beginnings of irritation.· But he felt irritation rising in him.· Helen felt a wash of irritation.· You are, as they say, stuck with it and have leisure to feel all its peculiar irritations and discomforts.
The heavy traffic is a constant source of irritation.irritation at/with The doctor’s irritation at being interrupted showed.2[countable] something that makes you annoyed: The children are just an irritation for him when he’s trying to work.3[countable, uncountable] a painful sore feeling on a part of your body: The astringent can cause irritation to sensitive skin. a throat irritation