bother

A2 Topic:Actions & Processes

Also spelled botherin and bothring

US /ˈbɑðɚ/ UK /ˈbɒðə(ɹ)/ See IPA manual

Freq #1144

Meanings

1

verb
To annoy or disturb someone.

Would it bother you if I opened the window?
2

verb
To take the trouble to do something.

They didn't even bother to say goodbye.
3

verb
To feel worried or concerned about something.

Don't bother about the mess; I'll clean it up later.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to annoy or disturb someone. annoy disturb irritate

2 verb · to take the trouble to do... trouble

3 verb · to feel worried or... worry care

Word family

Forms botheringbothers

Simplified etymology

Bother originated in Anglo-Irish usage and is probably related to Irish bodhaire, “deafness,” and bodhraim, “deafen, annoy.” It was first recorded in the sense “noise, chatter,” then shifted during the 18th century toward worry, annoyance, and trouble.

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. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# bother

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈbɑðɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈbɒðə(ɹ)/
**Frequency rank:** 1144

## Meanings
1. To annoy or disturb someone.
2. To take the trouble to do something.
3. To feel worried or concerned about something.

## Examples
- Would it bother you if I opened the window?
- They didn't even bother to say goodbye.
- Don't bother about the mess; I'll clean it up later.

## 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. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).

## AI Etymology
Bother was 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. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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