verb
irk
URK/ɜːrk/
To annoy or irritate.
The woman's gum bubble irks the man trying to read beside her.
Etymology
Middle English irken could mean being displeased or discontented before it meant troubling or annoying someone. Its deeper origin is uncertain, but the modern sense continues that later use.
In context
but it does irk me that we do this at the expense of other things we could be looking at
More examples
- His constant humming irks everyone in the office.
- The unexplained fee irked her more than the long wait.
- I don't mean to irk you with so many questions.
Forms
irk · irks · irked · irking
irksome adjective — Causing annoyance or mild irritation.