Irk is a verb meaning to irritatemake someone feel annoyed or bothered or annoy someone. It is often used for something small but persistentcontinuing steadily for a long time without stopping that gets under a person’s skinthe outer layer of a person’s body.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɝk/
Easy pronunciation: URK (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; the whole word is stressed.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Irk Meaning
to bother someone and make them slightly angry or frustrated
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to irritate or annoy someone
Example: The constant noise from the construction site began to irk the neighbors.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- gall — A close verb meaning to irritate or annoy.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Irk Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- gall
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using irk as a noun instead of a verb.
- Treating irk as stronger than it usually is; it usually means mild irritation, not deep anger.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does irk mean?
Irk means to irritate or annoy someone, usually in a fairly mild but persistent way.
What is a synonym for irk?
A close synonym is gall.
Is irk formal or informal?
Irk is neutral and can be used in both formal and everyday writing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
