I. both ‧ er 1 S1 W3 /ˈbɒðə $ ˈbɑːðər/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: Perhaps from Irish Gaelic bodhar 'deaf, bothered' ]
1 . MAKE AN EFFORT [intransitive, transitive usually in questions and negatives] to make the effort to do something
(not) bother to do something
He didn’t bother to answer the question.
not bother about/with
He didn’t bother with a reply.
(not) bother doing something
Many young people didn’t bother voting.
don’t/didn’t/won’t etc bother
‘Do you want me to wait for you?’ ‘No, don’t bother.’
Why bother to go abroad, when there are so many nice places here?
2 . WORRY [intransitive and transitive] to make someone feel slightly worried, upset, or concerned:
Being in a crowd really bothers me.
It was very noisy, but that didn’t bother me.
bother about especially British English :
I try not to bother about what other people think.
bother somebody that
It really bothered me that he’d forgotten my birthday.
3 . ANNOY [intransitive and transitive] to annoy someone, especially by interrupting them when they are trying to do something:
Danny, don’t bother Ellen while she’s reading.
Would it bother you if I put on some music?
bother somebody about/with something
It didn’t seem worth bothering the doctor about.
4 . somebody can’t/couldn’t be bothered (to do something) especially British English used to say that you do not want to make the effort to do something, or that you are not interested in doing something:
It was so hot I couldn’t be bothered to cook.
I should be revising, but I just can’t be bothered.
5 . CAUSE PAIN [transitive] if a part of your body bothers you, it is slightly painful or uncomfortable:
My back’s been bothering me.
6 . sorry to bother you spoken used as a very polite way of interrupting someone when you want their attention:
Sorry to bother you, but Mr. Grey is on the line.
7 . FRIGHTEN [transitive] to upset or frighten someone by talking to them when they do not want to talk to you, trying to hurt them, touch them sexually etc:
Don’t worry – my dog won’t bother you.
If he starts bothering you, let me know.
8 . not bother yourself/not bother your head to not spend time or effort on something, either because it is not important or because it is too difficult
not bother yourself/not bother your head with/about
Cliff didn’t want to bother himself with details.
9 . bother it/them etc British English spoken old-fashioned used to express a sudden feeling of annoyance about something:
Oh bother it! The thread’s broken again!
• • •
THESAURUS
■ when someone is doing something
▪ interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing to do something:
Miss Danziger apologised for interrupting their enjoyment of their meal.
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My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.
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His interview was interrupted by a call from the President.
▪ disturb to interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep etc:
The sign on the door said ‘Do not disturb. Meeting in progress’.
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I hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you want me to come back later?
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Her sleep was disturbed by a violent hammering on the door.
▪ bother to interrupt someone, especially by asking questions when they are trying to do something else:
‘I’m very sorry to bother you,’ Jackson said smoothly, ‘but I’d like a few minutes of your time.’
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You mustn’t bother him - he’s working on his essay.
II. bother 2 BrE AmE noun
1 . [uncountable] especially British English trouble or difficulty that has been caused by small problems and that usually only continues for a short time SYN trouble :
It’s an old car, but it’s never caused me any bother.
bother with
Joe’s been having a bit of bother with his back again.
‘Thanks for your help.’ ‘It was no bother (=used to emphasize that you were happy to help someone) at all.’
My mother hardly ever went to the bother of (=the effort of) making cakes.
Are you sure the station is on your way? I don’t want to give you any extra bother.
I should have phoned the shop first and saved myself the bother of going there.
something is more bother than it’s worth (=it is too difficult to be worth doing)
2 . a bother especially British English a person or job that slightly annoys you by causing trouble or problems:
I hate to be a bother, but could you show me how the copier works?
III. bother 3 BrE AmE interjection British English informal
used when you are slightly annoyed:
Oh bother! I forgot to phone Jean.