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Definition of irk

irk

/ɜːrk/
irk
Adverb:irksomely
•
Adjective:irksome
•
Past Simple:irked
•
Past Participle:irked
•
Present Participle:irking
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irk Lexical Profile

irk Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To irritate, annoy, or vex someone, especially through persistent or petty inconveniences.

Example

"It really irks me when colleagues arrive late to a scheduled meeting without sending a quick message."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for irk
Antonyms
View all antonyms for irk

• Rhymes for irk

• Nearby Words

iridescent
iris
irish moss
irk
irksome
irksomely
iron

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English irken ('to become weary or disgusted'), likely of Old Norse origin, related to Old Norse yrkja ('to work').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Irk. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/irk
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