nuisance

American  

[noo-suhns, nyoo-] / ˈnu səns, ˈnyu- /

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.

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nuisance British  

/ 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. the usefulness of a person's or thing's capacity to cause difficulties or irritation

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nuisance Idioms  

1. see make a nuisance of oneself.

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Etymology

Origin of nuisance

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

Example Sentences

In early November, the city filed suit against Quirky, asking a judge to declare the bookstore a public nuisance.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

“It’s such a nuisance and a hassle to have a rental property.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Khalil Mack will continue to be a nuisance for opposing quarterbacks for at least one more season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

Greenpeace International in 2025 announced plans to counter-sue Energy Transfer in the Netherlands, where the NGO's international headquarters are, accusing the company of using nuisance lawsuits to suppress dissent.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

He’d told Toby all these new tenants would be nothing but a nuisance.

From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff