What is irritated? Pronunciation and usage in English

irritated means . Learn how to pronounce and use irritated through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of irritated

irritatedadjective

/ˈɪrɪteɪtɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of irritated

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "irritated." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "irritated" is broken down into three syllables:

  • ir - like "air"
  • ri - like "ree" (as in "read")
  • ta - like "ta" in "father"
  • ted - like "ted" in "teddy"

2. Pronunciation Guide:

Here’s a more detailed breakdown, with phonetic symbols (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA) for those who are familiar with it:

  • ˈɪrɪtˌeɪtɪd

Let's break that down piece by piece:

  • ˈɪrɪt: This is the tricky part. The ‘i’ in ‘irrit’ is a bit longer than the “i” in “it”. It’s a higher, more drawn-out sound. The “r” is a slightly rolled "r" (although a soft, American "r" is often acceptable).
  • ˌeɪtɪd: "Ait" is pronounced like "ate" (as in "date"). "Ed" is pronounced like "ed" in "red."

3. Tips for Saying it Right:

  • Stress: The first syllable (ˈɪrɪt) is stressed - it's the strongest part of the word.
  • “R” Sound: Don’t overemphasize the "r" in “irrit.” It’s a subtle, almost blended sound.
  • “Ait” Sound: Make sure the "a" in “ait” sounds like "ate," not "ah."
  • Flow: Try to link the syllables together smoothly. Don't pause noticeably between them.

4. Listen for Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

To summarize, think: "Ir-ree-ta-ted" (with a slight roll of the "r" and the "a" in "ait" sounding like "ate").

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Break it down further, perhaps focusing on a specific sound?

Usage and examples with the word irritated in English

Let's break down how to use the word "irritated" effectively in English. It's a great word to express a feeling of annoyance, but it's more nuanced than simply "angry."

1. Core Meaning:

  • "Irritated" means feeling slightly annoyed, frustrated, or troubled. It’s a milder form of anger than “angry” or “furious.” It suggests a persistent, low-level feeling of displeasure.

2. How to Use It in Sentences – Examples:

  • Simple Description: "He was irritated by the constant buzzing of the fly." (Describes a specific cause of irritation)
  • Describing a Person’s State: "She looked irritated, her brow furrowed and her lips pressed together." (Shows how the irritation is being displayed)
  • Expressing Feeling: "I got irritated when he interrupted me several times during my presentation." (Expresses your own feeling)
  • Suggesting a Cause: “The slow internet connection was irritating him.” (Highlights the source of the irritation)
  • With “by” (most common): “I was irritated by the persistent rain ruining our picnic.” (The “by” phrase specifies what caused the irritation). This is the most typical way to use it.
  • Without “by” (less common, more general): “I felt irritated with the noise.” (This is less frequently used than “irritated by,” but it's grammatically correct.)

3. Shades of Meaning & Related Words:

  • Mild Irritation: “A little irritated” – a small, fleeting annoyance.
  • Moderate Irritation: “Becoming irritated” – the feeling is growing stronger.
  • Frustrated: Sometimes “irritated” and “frustrated” are interchangeable, but frustration often implies a feeling of being blocked from achieving a goal.
  • Annoyed: Similar to irritated, but might suggest a slightly stronger feeling.
  • Exasperated: A much stronger feeling – bordering on being furious.
  • Resentful: Feeling bitterness or indignation, often over a perceived injustice.

4. Important Notes on Tone & Usage:

  • It's generally polite to avoid using "irritated" in extremely formal writing. "Displeased" or “concerned” might be better choices in very formal contexts.
  • “Irritated” is perfectly fine in everyday conversations. It’s a natural word to use to express a common feeling.
  • Be mindful of who you're talking to. Using “irritated” directly to someone might come across as confrontational, so consider softening your delivery.

5. Let's Practice! Complete the sentences with "irritated":

  1. I was ___________ when I found out my flight was cancelled.
  2. The repetitive instructions made him completely ___________ .
  3. She seemed ___________ by the constant interruptions during the meeting.
  4. He became ____________ when he realized he’d forgotten his wallet.

Answers to the Practice Sentences:

  1. irritated
  2. irritated
  3. irritated
  4. irritated

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of usage?
  • Explain how "irritated" differs from other related words (like "annoyed" or "frustrated") in more detail?
  • Create a short practice exercise with different sentence structures?

Synonyms for the word irritated

Practice with vocabulary irritated

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The constant buzzing of the server fan left him feeling quite ______ during the critical presentation.
  2. His calm demeanor helped to ______ the tension in the room after the heated debate.
  3. She became visibly ______ when her colleagues ignored her suggestions repeatedly in the meeting.
  4. Despite the long hours, the team remained highly ______ and focused on achieving their quarterly targets.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After waiting on hold for over an hour, the customer was understandably ______ by the lack of customer service. A) pleased B) delighted C) irritated D) ecstatic

  2. Which of the following words describes a state of mild annoyance or displeasure, often caused by minor nuisances? A) furious B) annoyed C) bothered D) irritated

  3. The manager's constant micromanagement of minor tasks ______ the experienced staff members. A) pleased B) encouraged C) aggravated D) irritated

  4. Her persuasive arguments managed to ______ the skeptical board members, eventually gaining their support for the proposal. A) provoke B) convince C) hinder D) discourage

  5. The sudden drop in network connectivity throughout the building ______ productivity for the entire afternoon. A) enhanced B) impeded C) facilitated D) boosted

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The loud chatter from the adjacent cubicle bothered him immensely during his deep work session. (Rewrite using "irritated")
  2. Her constant questioning about trivial details caused a lot of annoyance among the team members. (Rewrite using a related word form of "irritated")
  3. The repetitive nature of the task made it extremely boring for the new intern. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "irritated")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. irritated
  2. alleviate
  3. irritated
  4. motivated

Exercise 2:

  1. C) irritated
  2. B) annoyed, C) bothered, D) irritated
  3. C) aggravated, D) irritated
  4. B) convince
  5. B) impeded

Exercise 3:

  1. The loud chatter from the adjacent cubicle immensely irritated him during his deep work session.
  2. Her constant questioning about trivial details was a source of irritation among the team members.
  3. The repetitive nature of the task made it extremely tedious for the new intern.

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