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

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

“It’s very revealing and frankly very offensive to compare shelter, housing, compassion and the ability to bring someone off the street to things that they consider public nuisances,” Bonta said.

From Los Angeles Times

"The complaint, in truth, has little to do with state-law claims of nuisance and consumer protection," Musk’s lawyers wrote in federal filings, according to the CNN report.

From BBC

For him, the upshot of the election will be either a series of criminal prosecutions likely to result in incarceration or a few legal nuisances that he can largely or completely dismiss.

From Los Angeles Times