easy
Please do not bother the sleeping cat.
What does Bother mean?
Bother means to annoy, worry, or trouble someone.
Dictionary definition
To annoy, worry, or take the trouble to do something.
Example sentences
Bother in a sentence
medium
The loud noise began to bother the class.
hard
She did not bother arguing because the decision had already been made.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice bother in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Bother
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does bother mean?
Bother means to annoy, worry, or trouble someone.
Practice 2
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to bother?
Annoy is closest because it connects to this meaning: Bother means to annoy, worry, or trouble someone.
Practice 3
Which word or phrase is a useful contrast to bother?
Soothe is a useful contrast because bother means: Bother means to annoy, worry, or trouble someone.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Bother
Voice settings
Sounds like
bah · ther · strongest beat: bah
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordBother.
Partverb, noun.
MeaningBother means to annoy, worry, or trouble someone.
ExampleExample: Please do not bother the sleeping cat.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- bah · ther
- Strongest beat
- bah
- Ending
- ther
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on bah.
Your turn
Say Bother
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Synonyms
Words like Bother
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice bother synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Please do not bother your sister while she reads," then compare close word choices. Practice bother synonyms.
Word family
Bother word family
Base word
bother
verb
bothers
Annoys or worries.
adjective
bothered
Annoyed or worried.
verb
bothering
Annoying or worrying.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Bother
Hint for students
Bother means to annoy, worry, or trouble someone.
Common mix-up
Bother does not always mean annoy. In some sentences, it means worry or trouble someone.
Try it in class or at home
Write two short sentences that use bother in different ways. Underline the clue words that show which meaning is being used. Example: The loud noise began to bother the class. Clue words: loud, noise, began. Ask: Which meaning of bother does my sentence show?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to compare meanings of bother in this model sentence: "The loud noise began to bother the class." Which meaning fits, and what context clues prove it?
Learning activities
Practice Bother and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice BOTHER” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice BOTHER
Sentence Builder
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