irking

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

irk /ɜrk/   v. 

1. to irritate, annoy, or bother:[~ + object]
   The continual delays on the trains irked the passengers.
   [it ~ + object + to + verb]
   It irks me to have to pay your way.
   [it + ~ + object + that clause]
   It irks me that I have to pay your way.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

irk  (ûrk), v.t. 

1. to irritate, annoy, or exasperate:
   It irked him to wait in line.

• Old Norse yrkja to work, cognate with Old English wyrcan; see work
• Middle English irken to grow tired, tire 1300–50

Synonyms

chafe, fret, bother; tire.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

irk / ɜːk/ verb

1. (transitive) to irritate, vex, or annoy

Etymology: 13th Century irken to grow weary; probably related to Old Norse yrkja to work