What is annoy? Pronunciation and usage in English

annoy means . Learn how to pronounce and use annoy through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of annoy

annoyverb

/əˈnɔɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of annoy

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "annoy" in English. Here's a breakdown:

1. Phonetics (the technical way):

  • an: Pronounced like the "a" in "father" - /æ/
  • noy: Pronounced like "no" with a slightly rolled "r" - /nɔɪ/

2. Putting it together:

Say it slowly: "Ah-noy"

3. Key Points & Tips:

  • The "a" sound: It's important to make the "a" sound in "an" short and slightly flat. Don’t overemphasize it.
  • The "oy" sound: This is the tricky part. It's a diphthong, meaning it’s a blend of two vowel sounds. It's similar to the "oi" in "boy" or "coin." The sound should be slightly open and relaxed in your mouth.
  • “r” roll (optional): While not always necessary, a very slight roll of the ‘r’ in “noy” can enhance the sound and make it more authentic. Don’t force it – a gentle touch is all you need.

4. Listen to examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some links to audio examples:

To help me give you even more tailored feedback, could you tell me:

  • Are you from a region with a particularly strong "r" sound (like some parts of the UK or Australia)?

Usage and examples with the word annoy in English

Let's break down how to use the word "annoy" effectively in English. It's a common word, but it has nuances.

1. Basic Meaning:

At its core, "annoy" means to irritate or bother someone, usually in a mild way. It’s a feeling of slight annoyance, not rage or fury.

2. How to Use It – Grammatical Structure:

  • "Annoy someone": This is the most common structure. You annoy a person.

    • Example: "The barking dog always annoys me."
    • Example: "Don't annoy your little sister!"

  • "Annoy something": You can also annoy an object or situation.

    • Example: “The constant traffic annoys me.”
    • Example: “The dripping faucet annoys everyone in the house.”

3. Different Ways to Express the Feeling of Annoyance:

"Annoy" isn't the only word to describe feeling bothered. Here are some alternatives, depending on the intensity of the feeling:

  • Mild Annoyance:
    • Irritate
    • Bother
    • Get on someone’s nerves
    • Grate on someone’s nerves
    • Trouble
  • Moderate Annoyance:
    • Exasperate
    • Frustrate
    • Agitate
  • Stronger Annoyance (but still not rage):
    • Irritate intensely
    • Take the mickey (British slang - to tease or make fun of someone in a slightly annoying way)

4. Examples in Sentences (with variations):

  • Direct Annoyance: "He annoyed me with his constant questions."
  • Expressing the Result: “My brother annoyed me so much that I slammed the door.”
  • Describing a Habit: “The repetitive clicking of his pen annoyed her.”
  • Giving a Warning: “Don’t annoy the teacher!”
  • More Informal: “That song just annoys me to no end.” (This is a common, slightly emphatic way to say something is very annoying.)
  • Using “get” as an auxiliary verb: “I got annoyed by the long queue.” (This is a common and perfectly acceptable way to express annoyance.)

5. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Irritate
  • Bother
  • Trouble
  • Nag
  • Pester
  • Provoke (if annoyance is a result of something someone does)

6. Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Tone: "Annoy" is generally a mild word. Be mindful of your tone of voice when speaking about something annoying you.
  • Context: The situation matters. A small thing might annoy you, while a major problem would likely be “frustrating” or “infuriating.”

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use "annoy" in a specific sentence?
  • Are you wondering about the difference between "annoy" and another word related to annoyance (like "irritate")?

Synonyms for the word annoy

Practice with vocabulary annoy

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The constant noise from construction work tends to ___ me during my morning meetings.
  2. She tried to ___ her brother by hiding his favorite book, but he just laughed it off.
  3. His inability to listen to others often ___ his colleagues.
  4. The teacher emphasized the importance of being ___ when working in a team.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits the sentence? "The loud music at the party began to ___ me after a while."
    a) annoy b) amuse c) excite d) inspire
  2. Select all the words that could replace the underlined word: "Her constant interruptions upset the flow of the meeting."
    a) irritate b) annoy c) delight d) confuse
  3. Which word does NOT fit the sentence? "The delays in the project ___ everyone involved."
    a) frustrate b) annoy c) encourage d) bother
  4. Choose the correct word: "He tried to ___ the audience with his jokes, but they seemed unimpressed."
    a) entertain b) annoy c) distract d) surprise
  5. Which word best replaces the underlined word? "The repetitive instructions began to vex the students."
    a) confuse b) annoy c) inspire d) educate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The constant tapping on the desk bothered me during the exam.
    Rewrite: The constant tapping on the desk ___ me during the exam.
  2. Original: Her habit of interrupting others made everyone feel frustrated.
    Rewrite: Her habit of interrupting others ___ everyone.
  3. Original: The long wait at the airport irritated the travelers.
    Rewrite: The long wait at the airport ___ the travelers.

Answer:
Exercise 1:

  1. annoy
  2. tease (noise)
  3. annoy
  4. respectful (noise)

Exercise 2:

  1. a) annoy
  2. a) irritate, b) annoy
  3. c) encourage
  4. a) entertain
  5. b) annoy

Exercise 3:

  1. The constant tapping on the desk annoyed me during the exam.
  2. Her habit of interrupting others annoyed everyone.
  3. The long wait at the airport frustrated the travelers.

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