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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Irritable: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：easily annoyed (irritable)

irritable 🔊

/ˈɪr.ɪ.tə.bəl/

adj.

Easily annoyed or made angry, often by small things like noise or waiting.

Irritable person feeling annoyed and frustrated at a messy desk

easily annoyed 🔊

➕

/ˈiː.zɪ.li əˈnɔɪd/

adj.

Describing a person who gets upset or angry quickly, especially over minor issues.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'irritabilis', meaning easily provoked or excited.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'irritate' + 'able' – able to be irritated easily.

📖 Example

After working late for three days in a row, she felt irritable and snapped at her friend for being five minutes late. 🔊 After working late for three days in a row, she felt irritable and snapped at her friend for being five minutes late.

🔗 Collocations

irritable mood – a state of being easily annoyed

become irritable – to start feeling easily annoyed

irritable person – someone who is often easily annoyed

🔄 Synonyms

grumpy (adj.) – bad-tempered and irritable

testy (adj.) – easily irritated or annoyed

cranky (adj.) – irritable or easily upset

🚫 Antonyms

calm (adj.) – not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions

patient (adj.) – able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious

🌱 Derivatives

irritability (n.) – the quality or state of being irritable

irritably (adv.) – in an irritable manner

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'irritare' (to excite). Commonly used in medical contexts like 'irritable bowel syndrome', describing heightened sensitivity.

Meaning 2：easily irritated (skin) (irritable)

irritable 🔊

/ˈɪr.ɪ.tə.bəl/

adj.

Describing skin or body parts that easily become red, itchy, or uncomfortable when touched or exposed to something.

Irritable skin showing red, blotchy reaction on a person's forearm

easily irritated (skin) 🔊

➕

/ˈiː.zɪ.li ˈɪr.ɪ.teɪ.tɪd skɪn/

adj.

Referring to skin or body parts that are prone to becoming red, itchy, or uncomfortable when exposed to certain stimuli.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

His irritable skin reacts badly to synthetic fabrics, so he always wears cotton clothes. 🔊 His irritable skin reacts badly to synthetic fabrics, so he always wears cotton clothes.

🔗 Collocations

irritable skin – skin that is easily irritated

irritable bowel syndrome – a medical condition characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits

irritable eyes – eyes that are easily irritated by light or dust

🔄 Synonyms

sensitive (adj.) – quick to detect or respond to slight changes or stimuli

reactive (adj.) – showing a response to a stimulus

allergic (adj.) – having an allergy; reacting adversely to certain substances

🚫 Antonyms

resistant (adj.) – not affected by something; able to withstand it

tough (adj.) – strong and resilient; not easily damaged

🌱 Derivatives

irritability (n.) – the quality or state of being irritable

irritably (adv.) – in an irritable manner