irritate
pronunciation
How to pronounce irritate in British English: UK [ˈɪrɪteɪt]
How to pronounce irritate in American English: US [ˈɪrɪteɪt]
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- Verb:
- cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
- excite to an abnormal condition, of chafe or inflame
- excite to some characteristic action or condition, such as motion, contraction, or nervous impulse, by the application of a stimulus
Word Origin
- irritate (v.)
- 1530s, "stimulate to action, rouse, incite," from Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare "excite, provoke." An earlier verb form was irrite (mid-15c.), from Old French irriter. Meaning "annoy, make impatient" is from 1590s. Related: Irritated; irritating.
Example
- 1. This might irritate your bladder and aggravate your condition .
- 2. Sometimes a normal vaginal discharge can irritate the skin .
- 3. Such charmed circles may irritate outsiders but are perfectly legal .
- 4. Masks and peels can irritate the skin .
- 5. Some sunscreen products can irritate skin .