bothered
She seemed bothered by the loud noise outside.
She was slightly annoyed by the loud noise outside.
slightly annoyed, worried, or upset
He didn’t seem bothered by the criticism.
He wasn’t upset or worried by the criticism.
I’m bothered by how long this is taking.
I’m slightly annoyed or concerned about the delay.
Often used to describe mild irritation or concern, not intense anger.
put to inconvenience or trouble
Would it bother you to wait a few minutes?
Would it inconvenience you to wait a few minutes?
More common in questions or polite requests.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Questions
In questions like 'Would you be bothered if...?' or 'Do you mind...?', 'bothered' often implies politeness rather than actual annoyance. Example: 'Would you be bothered if I opened the window?' means 'Would you mind if I opened the window?'
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'bothered' is common in informal speech, avoid using it in formal writing unless quoting speech. Prefer 'concerned', 'troubled', or 'annoyed' in formal contexts.
Word Origin
From 'bother' (verb, 18th century, possibly from Irish 'bodhar' meaning 'noise' or 'disturbance') + '-ed' (past participle suffix). The verb 'bother' originally meant 'to confuse or puzzle' but evolved to mean 'to disturb or annoy'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in everyday speech to express mild irritation or concern. Often paired with 'about' or 'by'. In questions, it can imply willingness or unwillingness to do something.