Basic Details
Word: Irritation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A feeling of being annoyed; also a sore, itchy or painful feeling on the skin or in the eyes.
Synonyms: annoyance, exasperation, vexation, itchiness
Antonyms: pleasure, calm, delight
How to Spell Irritation
Syllables: ir - ri - ta - tion
Tricky part: The r is doubled at the start but the t in the middle is single. Irritate drops its e before -ion.
Watch out for: iritation, irrittation, irritasion
Memory tip: Two r's to start, one t to follow: ir-ri-ta-tion. An itch makes you rub and rub, so think rr for rub-rub.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Her irritation grew as the queue at the bank barely moved.
Example 2: Chopping onions causes irritation in the eyes.
Example 3: He hid his irritation and answered the question politely.
Fun Fact
Cutting an onion releases a gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. When it reaches the eyes it causes stinging, and the eyes make tears to wash it away.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to irritation as used in the sentence:
Mummy could not hide her irritation when the plumber came late again.
a) delight
b) impatience
c) anger
d) annoyance
Show answer
a) delight. Annoyance, anger and impatience are close to irritation; delight is a happy feeling.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
irrittation
a) a
b) t
c) r
d) i
Show answer
b) t. Only the r is doubled in irritation; the t that follows ri stands alone.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. confussion 2. ocasion 3. irritation 4. tention
a) a state of not understanding
b) a special event or time
c) a feeling of worry or stress
d) a feeling of being annoyed
Show answer
d) a feeling of being annoyed. Occasion needs two c's, tension ends in -sion and confusion has a single s.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these could cause eye irritation?
a) smoke from a bonfire
b) a soft cotton pillow
c) a cool breeze at dusk
d) a song on the radio
Show answer
a) smoke from a bonfire
2. A person who is easily irritated is ____.
a) patient
b) irritable
c) cheerful
d) generous
Show answer
b) irritable
