nuisance
nuisance
Pronunciation
There are two common pronunciations for "nuisance," depending on the dialect (British vs American):
British English (Received Pronunciation):
IPA: /ˈnjuː.səns/
Breakdown by syllable:
/ˈnjuː/ - "nyoo" sound (combination of /n/ and /juː/)
/səns/ - "suhns" sound (/s/ + /ə/ + /n/ + /s/)
American English (General American):
IPA: /ˈnuː.səns/
Breakdown by syllable:
/ˈnuː/ - "noo" sound (long /uː/)
/səns/ - "suhns" sound (/s/ + /ə/ + /n/ + /s/)
Both pronunciations share the same sounds for the second syllable (/səns/). The main difference lies in the first syllable:
British English uses a "nyoo" sound (/njuː/)
American English uses a long "noo" sound (/nuː/)
Word Form Variations
The word "nuisance" has the following word form variations:
Singular: nuisance (the base form you're familiar with)
Plural: nuisances (simple addition of "s" to the end)
Adjective: No direct adjective form exists for "nuisance." However, you can use phrases like "a nuisance call" or "a nuisance neighbour" to describe something as bothersome.
Verb: There's no direct verb form of "nuisance" either. But you can use phrases like "to be a nuisance" or "to cause a nuisance" to describe the act of annoying someone.
Legal: In legal contexts, you might encounter terms like "public nuisance" (something that disrupts a community) and "private nuisance" (something that disrupts an individual's property rights).
Informal: There are some informal phrases that use "nuisance" like "make a nuisance of oneself" (to behave in an annoying way).
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A person, thing, condition, or situation that causes annoyance, inconvenience, or trouble.
Synonyms: pest, bother, irritation, annoyance, headache, pain, troublemaker, inconvenience
Antonyms: convenience, pleasure, benefit, delight, enjoyment
Adjective (phrasal):
Definition: Used to describe something that is annoying or bothersome.
Synonyms: bothersome, irritating, annoying, irksome, troublesome, inconvenient
Antonyms: pleasant, enjoyable, delightful, convenient, trouble-free (phrasal: not a nuisance)
Verb (phrasal):
Definition 1: To behave in a way that annoys or bothers someone.
Synonyms: be a pest, be a pain, get on someone's nerves, irritate, annoy
Antonyms: be pleasant, be polite, behave well
Definition 2: To cause annoyance, inconvenience, or trouble.
Synonyms: cause trouble, create a problem, be bothersome, be inconvenient
Antonyms: benefit, improve, make things easier
Note: There are no common adverb forms for "nuisance."
Examples of Use
Noun:
Book: "The constant barking of the neighbour's dog was a nuisance that kept everyone in the street awake at night." (John Grisham, "A Time for Mercy")
Newspaper: "The city council is looking into ways to address the growing problem of pigeon droppings, which are becoming a nuisance for businesses and residents alike." (The New York Times)
Online Publication: "Tips to soundproof your apartment and finally get some peace from noisy neighbours – the ultimate guide to combating this common nuisance!" (Apartment Therapy website)
Adjective (phrasal):
Movie: In the movie "Home Alone," Kevin's booby traps set for the robbers become a nuisance for the hapless intruders.
TV Show: On a sitcom, a character might jokingly say, "Ugh, Mondays are such a nuisance!"
Verb (phrasal):
Social Media: "Some people who park in handicapped spots without a permit are deliberately trying to cause a nuisance." (Twitter post)
Public Discourse: During a town hall meeting, a resident might complain, "The construction project down the street is nuisancing everyone with the constant noise and dust." (This usage is not grammatically perfect but commonly used in everyday speech)
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Nuisance
While there aren't many direct quotes from famous figures using "nuisance," the concept is often expressed with similar words. Here's a list of ten quotes that capture the essence of "nuisance":
"What we call progress is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance." - Alfred Whitehead (philosopher) (This quote highlights the idea that progress often comes with new annoyances.)
"Perfection is such a nuisance that I often regret having cured myself of using tobacco." - Mark Twain (author) (This quote uses "nuisance" in a humorous way, suggesting perfection can be a burden.)
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (philosopher) (While not using "nuisance," this quote implies the frustration of dealing with people who believe they know everything.)
"Small doubts are the little foxes that spoil the vines of our best purposes." - John Bunyan (author) (Similar to nuisance, "small doubts" represent constant annoyances that can disrupt our plans.)
"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." - Steve Jobs (entrepreneur) (This quote implies that those who resist innovation can be a nuisance to progress.)
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." - Voltaire (philosopher) (Similar to nuisance, doubt can be an annoyance, but blind certainty is worse.)
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (philosopher) (This quote highlights the frustration of people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (philosopher) (Similar to a nuisance, unexamined thoughts and actions can hold us back from growth.)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu (philosopher) (This quote highlights the annoyance of inaction, similar to a nuisance that prevents progress.)
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha (spiritual teacher) (Similar to a nuisance, negative thoughts can be a constant source of annoyance and hinder our well-being.)
Etymology
The word "nuisance" is like a troublemaker who calmed down a bit over time. Here's the story:
Origin: The word comes from French, where it was spelled "nuisance." But the French word itself has an even older ancestor – a Latin word called "nocere" which means "to harm."
First Use: The English version, "nuisance," showed up around the 1400s. Back then, it wasn't just about minor annoyances. It meant something that caused serious harm or injury.
Meaning Shift: Over time, the word softened up. People started using it for things that were bothersome, but not necessarily harmful. Today, it describes things that irritate or inconvenience us, rather than cause major problems.
So, "nuisance" went from meaning something truly harmful to describing the everyday annoyances that bug us all!
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Nuisance
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using the word "nuisance":
Phrases:
Make a nuisance of oneself: To behave in an annoying way.
A public nuisance: Something that disrupts a community (e.g., loud music late at night).
A private nuisance: Something that disrupts an individual's property rights (e.g., a neighbour's overgrown trees blocking your sunlight).
A nuisance call: A phone call that is unwanted or a prank.
A minor nuisance: Something that is slightly annoying but not a major problem.
Idioms:
Be a pain in the neck: To be very annoying or bothersome. (Note: This idiom is considered informal.)
Get on someone's nerves: To irritate or annoy someone.
Rub someone the wrong way: To annoy someone unintentionally.
A thorn in one's side: Something that is a constant source of annoyance or trouble.
Posts Related to Nuisance
Source Information
Definition of nuisance from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.