bother

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbɒðə/

verb

  • 1 [no object, with negative] take the trouble to do something: scientists rarely bother with such niceties [with infinitive]: the driver didn’t bother to ask why
  • 2 [with object] (of a circumstance or event) worry, disturb, or upset (someone): secrecy is an issue which bothers journalists [with object and clause]: it bothered me that I hadn’t done anything
  • [no object, usually with negative] feel concern about or interest in: don’t bother about me—I’ll find my own way home he wasn’t to bother himself with day-to-day things (as adjective bothered) I’m not particularly bothered about how I look
  • cause trouble or annoyance to (someone) by interrupting or otherwise inconveniencing them: I’m sorry to bother you at this time of night

noun

[mass noun]
  • effort, trouble, or difficulty: he saved me the bother of having to come up with a speech it may seem like too much bother to cook just for yourself
  • (a bother) a person or thing that causes annoyance or difficulty: I hope she hasn’t been a bother

exclamation

British
  • used to express mild irritation or impatience: ‘Bother!’ she muttered

Phrases

can't be bothered (to do something)

be unwilling to make the effort needed to do something: they couldn’t be bothered to look it up

hot and bothered

in a state of anxiety or physical discomfort, especially as a result of being pressured: others struggle with bags and briefcases, looking hot and bothered

Origin:

late 17th century (as a noun in the dialect sense 'noise, chatter'): of Anglo-Irish origin; probably related to Irish bodhaire 'noise', bodhraim 'deafen, annoy'. The verb (originally dialect) meant 'confuse with noise' in the early 18th century