Meaning & use

bother

verb·Everyday

To take the time or trouble to do something, or to cause someone slight worry or annoyance.

See it in a sentence

Don't bother waiting up for me; I'll be home very late tonight.

The buzzing mosquito bothered her all through the picnic.

A note on using this word

Bother is common in the negative construction don't bother, meaning something isn't worth the effort.

Words with a similar meaning

annoytrouble

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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