nuisance

[ noo-suhns, nyoo- ]

noun

1. an obnoxious or annoying person, thing, condition, practice, etc.:

   a monthly meeting that was more nuisance than pleasure.

2. Law. something offensive or annoying to individuals or to the community, especially in violation of their legal rights.

nuisance

/ ˈnjuːsəns /

noun

1. 1. a person or thing that causes annoyance or bother
   2. ( as modifier )

      nuisance calls

2. law something unauthorized that is obnoxious or injurious to the community at large ( public nuisance ) or to an individual, esp in relation to his ownership or occupation of property ( private nuisance )
3. nuisance value
   the usefulness of a person's or thing's capacity to cause difficulties or irritation

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuisance¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English nu(i)sa(u)nce, from Anglo-French, from nuis(er) “to harm” (from Latin nocēre “to harm, injure”) + -ance -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuisance¹

C15: via Old French from nuire to injure, from Latin nocēre

Idioms and Phrases

see make a nuisance of oneself .

Example Sentences

Rajan Naidu, 73, of Gosford Street, Birmingham, and Niamh Lynch, 20, of Norfolk Road, Bedford, were both charged with one count of destroying or damaging an ancient protected monument and one count of causing a public nuisance.

From BBC

She said she had been made to feel like a nuisance and that her self-esteem and mental health had been affected.

From BBC

The statewide initiative — which was leading 58% to 42% as of Thursday afternoon — is designed to give tax rebates to property owners if they can prove monetary damages resulting from the local government’s failure to enforce nuisance laws.

From Los Angeles Times

But some road users say their brightness can be a nuisance.

From BBC

County Superior Court allowed one such project to go forward but deemed it a “public nuisance.”

From Los Angeles Times