annoyed

Annoyed is an adjective that describes a feeling of mild to moderate irritation or discontent, typically in response to something perceived as a nuisance, interruption, or disagreeable behavior. It signals a temporary emotional state rather than deep anger. The related noun is annoyance, and the related participle form is annoying, which describes something that causes the feeling.

In everyday use, people are annoyed by noises, delays, repetitive questions, rude remarks, or unfulfilled expectations. The phrase annoyed with is commonly used for people (for example, “She was annoyed with her coworker”), while annoyed at or annoyed by is used for situations or things (for example, “annoyed at the constant interruptions” or “annoyed by the noise”).

Annoyed is closely related to irritated, peeved, and riled, but it is usually milder than angry. It can convey a sense of wanting the nuisance to stop without implying lasting hostility.

Etymology: The word originates in Middle English and was borrowed from Old French enuiier or anuiier, with the sense of troubling or troubling someone. The precise lineage is somewhat unclear, but the term has been in use in English since the 15th century.

See also: annoyance, irritation, anger, synonyms such as irritated, vexed, or peeved. In psychology, annoyance is viewed as a transient affective state that falls along a spectrum between calm and anger.