I. ˈbäthə(r) verb
( bothered ; bothered ; bothering ˈbäth(ə)riŋ ; bothers )
Etymology: perhaps from Irish Gaelic bodhar deaf, bothered, annoyed, from Old Irish bodar; akin to Welsh byddar deaf and probably to Sanskrit badhira
transitive verb
1.
a. : to put into a state of agitation : put into a flutter : cause to be nervous : fluster , excite
just the sight of him bothered her and set her heart beating
b. : to cause to be undecided, uneasy, or perplexed : puzzle , mystify
the complexities of life bothered him
2.
a. : to annoy, anger, or upset especially by petty provocations : vex , irritate , irk
he would be … excessively bothered with details and complaints — Brian Crozier
b. : to intrude upon : force unwelcome attention or company on : pester , disturb
don't bother me while I'm taking my nap
they could hardly walk down the street without being bothered
c. : to cause to be mildly anxious or concerned : worry , trouble
rest and recovery from what's been bothering you — Richard Joseph
without bothering their heads about a lot of newfangled nonsense — Green Peyton
she didn't bother herself to lower her voice
d. : to cause to suffer mild discomfort
the sun did not bother him — Richard Sale
: give trouble to
his stomach's been bothering him
— sometimes used as a mild imprecation or interjection expressing annoyance, disagreement, or impatience
intransitive verb
1. : to feel mild concern or anxiety
she needed help, but they didn't bother about that
: become concerned or interested
I haven't time to bother with such things
: devote time, energy, or attention
2. : to take pains : take the trouble
don't bother to lock the door
he did not even bother to be polite — Fitzroy Maclean
3. : to stir up petty trouble : make a fuss
Synonyms: see annoy , worry
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a state of petty discomfort, annoyance, or worry
when scenery gets mixed up with our personal bothers all the virtue goes out of it — Edith Wharton
b. : something that causes petty discomfort, annoyance, or worry : troublesomeness , vexation
she valued his gifts by the bother they cost him — H.G.Wells
2. : unnecessary and vexatious fussing
all the bother of trying to follow this rule — Evelyn Barkins