Etymology Map
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Annoy

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to make someone slightly angry

Where does the word "annoy" come from? It comes from Latin in odio, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
in odio
Latin · ancient
"hateful"
from the phrase 'mihi in odio est', it is hateful to me
2
Stage 2 of 3
anuier
Old French · medieval
"to weary, trouble"
modern French 'ennui', boredom, comes from the same word
3
Stage 3 of 3
annoy
English · 1200s
"to irritate"
was a much stronger word in medieval English, meaning to harm
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Read the full story

Annoy’s story begins in Latin: in odio meant “hateful.” From the phrase 'mihi in odio est', it is hateful to me. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as anuier. Modern French 'ennui', boredom, comes from the same word. It reached English by 1200s as annoy. Was a much stronger word in medieval English, meaning to harm. Today, annoy means to make someone slightly angry.