bother
To annoy, to disturb, to irritate; to be troublesome to, to make trouble for.
Verb 3 meanings
To annoy, to disturb, to irritate; to be troublesome to, to make trouble for.
“Would it bother you if I smoked?”
To feel care or concern; to burden or inconvenience oneself out of concern.
“I never bother about such trivialities.”
To take the trouble, to trouble oneself (to do something).
“Why do I even bother to try?”
Noun 2 meanings
Fuss, ado.
“There was a bit of bother at the hairdresser's when they couldn't find my appointment in the book.”
Trouble, inconvenience.
“Yes, I can do that for you—it’s no bother.”
Interjection 1 meaning
A mild expression of annoyance.
Etymology
Borrowed from Scots bauther, bather (“to bother”). Origin unknown. Perhaps related to Scots pother (“to make a stir or commotion, bustle”), also of unknown origin. Compare English pother (“to poke, prod”), variant of potter (“to poke”). More at potter.
Similar and opposite words
BOTHER at a glance
BOTHER has 6 letters and scores 11 points in Scrabble (B 3 + O 1 + T 1 + H 4 + E 1 + R 1) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,602 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with bother
All rhymesOne letter away
- MOTHER11
- NOTHER9
- BATHER11
- ROTHER9
- POTHER11
- TOTHER9
- LOTHER9
- FOTHER12
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