- bother
- both|er1 W3S1 [ˈbɔðə US ˈba:ðər] v▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(make an effort)¦2¦(worry)¦3¦(annoy)¦4 somebody can't/couldn't be bothered (to do something)5¦(cause pain)¦6 sorry to bother you7¦(frighten)¦8 not bother yourself/not bother your head9 bother it/them etc▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Perhaps from Irish Gaelic bodhar 'deaf, bothered']1.) ¦(MAKE AN EFFORT)¦ [I,T usually in questions and negatives]to make the effort to do something(not) bother to do sth▪ He didn't bother to answer the question.not bother about/with▪ He didn't bother with a reply.(not) bother doing sth▪ Many young people didn't bother voting.don't/didn't/won't etc bother▪ 'Do you want me to wait for you?' 'No, don't bother.'▪ Why bother to go abroad, when there are so many nice places here at home?2.) ¦(WORRY)¦ [I and T]to make someone feel slightly worried, upset, or concerned▪ Being in a crowd really bothers me.▪ It was very noisy, but that didn't bother me.bother aboutespecially BrE▪ I try not to bother about what other people think.bother sb that▪ It really bothered me that he'd forgotten my birthday.3.) ¦(ANNOY)¦ [I and T]to annoy someone, especially by interrupting them when they are trying to do something▪ Danny, don't bother Ellen while she's reading.▪ Would it bother you if I put on some music?bother sb about/with sth▪ It didn't seem worth bothering the doctor about.4.) sb can't/couldn't be bothered (to do sth)especially BrE used to say that you do not want to make the effort to do something, or that you are not interested in doing something▪ It was so hot I couldn't be bothered to cook.▪ I should be revising, but I just can't be bothered.5.) ¦(CAUSE PAIN)¦ [T]if a part of your body bothers you, it is slightly painful or uncomfortable▪ My back's been bothering me.6.) sorry to bother youspoken used as a very polite way of interrupting someone when you want their attention▪ Sorry to bother you, but Mr. Grey is on the line.7.) ¦(FRIGHTEN)¦ [T]to upset or frighten someone by talking to them when they do not want to talk to you, trying to hurt them, touch them sexually etc▪ Don't worry, my dog won't bother you.▪ If he starts bothering you, let me know.8.) not bother yourself/not bother your headto not spend time or effort on something, either because it is not important or because it is too difficultnot bother yourself/not bother your head with/about▪ Cliff didn't want to bother himself with masses of detail.9.) bother it/them etcBrE spoken old-fashioned used to express a sudden feeling of annoyance about something▪ Oh bother it! The thread's broken again!bother 2bother2 n1.) [U] especially BrE trouble or difficulty that has been caused by small problems and that usually only continues for a short time= ↑trouble▪ It's an old car, but it's never caused me any bother.bother with▪ Joe's been having a bit of bother with his back again.▪ 'Thanks for your help.' ' It was no bother (=used to emphasize that you were happy to help someone) at all.'▪ My mother hardly ever went to the bother of (=the effort of) making cakes.▪ Are you sure the station is on your way? I don't want to give you any extra bother .▪ I should have phoned the shop first and saved myself the bother of going there.sth is more bother than it's worth(=it is too difficult to be worth doing)2.) a botherespecially BrE a person or job that slightly annoys you by causing trouble or problems▪ I hate to be a bother, but could you show me how the photocopier works?bother 3bother3 interjection BrE informalused when you are slightly annoyed▪ Oh bother! I forgot to phone Jean.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.