bother
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L317262 on Wikidata ↗interjection
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L334073 on Wikidata ↗verb
- to concern oneself about or with something
- take action, take the trouble to do something
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈbɔðə(ɹ)/ / /ˈbɒðə(ɹ)/ / /ˈbɑðɚ/
intj
Etymology: Borrowed from Scots bauther, bather (“to bother”). Origin unknown. Perhaps related to Scots pother (“to make a stir or commotion, bustle”), also of unknown origin. Compare English pother (“to poke, prod”), variant of potter (“to poke”). More at potter. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).
- A mild expression of annoyance.
“She flung off her sealskin paletot and the beautiful felt hat, not heeding that they rolled off the untidy bed upon the floor. / “Sarah,” whispered Mrs. Malone, “what you goin’ to do? Look at your elegant clothes on the floor.” / “Oh, bother!” retorted Sarah.”
“[H]e suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said "Bother!" and "Oh blow!" and also "Hang spring-cleaning!" and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat.”
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Scots bauther, bather (“to bother”). Origin unknown. Perhaps related to Scots pother (“to make a stir or commotion, bustle”), also of unknown origin. Compare English pother (“to poke, prod”), variant of potter (“to poke”). More at potter. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).
- Fuss, ado.
“There was a bit of bother at the hairdresser's when they couldn't find my appointment in the book.”
“It was a 15-minute return trip to walk back home to pick up my device, but I weighed it up and decided that it wasn’t worth the bother.”
- Trouble, inconvenience.
“Yes, I can do that for you—it’s no bother.”
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from Scots bauther, bather (“to bother”). Origin unknown. Perhaps related to Scots pother (“to make a stir or commotion, bustle”), also of unknown origin. Compare English pother (“to poke, prod”), variant of potter (“to poke”). More at potter. Perhaps related to Irish bodhaire (“noise”), Irish bodhraim (“to deafen, annoy”).
- To annoy, to disturb, to irritate; to be troublesome to, to make trouble for.
“Would it bother you if I smoked?”
- To annoy, to disturb, to irritate; to be troublesome to, to make trouble for.
- To feel care or concern; to burden or inconvenience oneself out of concern.
“I never bother about such trivialities.”
“I wouldn't bother with an umbrella if I were you.”
- To take the trouble, to trouble oneself (to do something).
“Why do I even bother to try?”
- To take the trouble, to trouble oneself (to do something).
“You didn’t even bother to close the door.”