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Where does the word "irritate" come from? It comes from Latin irritare, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
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Where does the word "irritate" come from? It comes from Latin irritare, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
Irritate’s story begins in Latin: irritare meant “to excite, provoke.” Origin uncertain. It reached English by 1530s as irritate. 'irritating' as annoying dates from the 1700s. Today, irritate means to annoy.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient irritare "to excite, provoke", origin uncertain.
- Stage 2 · English · 1530s irritate "to provoke", 'irritating' as annoying dates from the 1700s.