The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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peeve

verb

/piv/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of peeve

To irritate, annoy, or vex someone or something.
"Excessive noise can peeve even the most tolerant individuals in a quiet library."

Detailed meaning of peeve

When something "peeves" an individual, it means that it bothers or frustrates them, often causing a sense of annoyance or irritation. This verb is used to describe a feeling of displeasure or being bothered by a particular action, behavior, or situation. Peeves can vary from trivial annoyances to more significant and persistent sources of frustration. It is common for different individuals to have different peeves, as personal preferences and sensitivities play a role in determining what annoys or bothers someone. Expressing one's peeves can help establish boundaries or communicate dissatisfaction with certain behaviors or circumstances. It is important to address peeves in a constructive manner to maintain healthy relationships and foster understanding.

Example sentences containing peeve

1. When drivers don't signal, it tends to peeve me.
2. It's the constant interruption of my thoughts that really peeve me during team meetings.
3. Nothing will peeve a patient customer more than rude service.
4. Can you believe even the minor details peeve her, such as the color of her desktop wallpaper?
5. The server's inattentiveness seemed to peeve James greatly during dinner.
6. Disorganization and clutter tend to peeve me in my own workspace.

History and etymology of peeve

The verb 'peeve' has a somewhat mysterious etymology, and its origins are not entirely clear. It is believed to be a colloquial or informal term that emerged in the United States during the early 20th century. There is no direct connection to an older word or language. 'Peeve' likely evolved from the sense of irritation or annoyance, perhaps drawing on similar-sounding words that convey a sense of bother or vexation. Despite its uncertain origins, 'peeve' has become a commonly used term in English to describe actions or situations that irritate or annoy, and it captures the essence of being bothered by something, even though its etymology remains somewhat elusive.

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Further usage examples of peeve

1. Rainy days may cheer some people up, but they always peeve me.
2. One thing that can peeve most people is a delayed flight.
3. The incessant dog barking next door was enough to peeve anyone trying to enjoy a quiet afternoon.
4. Abrupt changes in a project's direction always peeve Emily, who likes consistency and routine.
5. I noticed that slow internet connections peeve my tech-savvy friend quite a bit.
6. Chewing with an open mouth might not bother some, but it does peeve others significantly.
7. Interruptions during her favorite TV show never fail to peeve Linda.
8. It may seem odd, but mismatched socks really peeve Tom.
9. Will you quit it? Your constant foot tapping will peeve anyone in this silent room.
10. A poorly formatted document would peeve any meticulous editor.
11. He often let it be known that grammatical errors in texts peeve him immensely.
12. Even the slightest hint of pretentiousness could peeve Jacob considerably.
13. Cold coffee seems to peeve Sarah more than one would think.
14. Laziness and lack of initiative in group projects peeve me more than anything else.