What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
irritating
Example
The sound of the alarm clock in the morning can be very irritating. [irritating: adjective]
Example
Her constant complaining was really irritating me. [irritating: present participle]
annoying
Example
The constant buzzing of the fly was really annoying. [annoying: adjective]
Example
He kept interrupting me while I was trying to work, which was really annoying. [annoying: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Annoying is more commonly used than irritating in everyday language. Annoying is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while irritating is less common and may be seen as a more formal or technical term.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between irritating and annoying?
While irritating is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, annoying is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in various formality levels.
