What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
irksome
Example
The irksome task of cleaning the house on a Saturday morning. [irksome: adjective]
Example
It's irksome to listen to someone who complains all the time. [irksome: adjective]
irritating
Example
The sound of the alarm clock can be very irritating in the morning. [irritating: adjective]
Example
It's so irritating when people talk loudly on their phones in public. [irritating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irritating is more commonly used than irksome in everyday language. Irritating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while irksome is less common and refers to a specific type of annoyance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between irksome and irritating?
Both irksome and irritating are informal words that can be used in casual conversations. However, irritating can also be used in formal contexts to describe a bothersome situation or behavior.
