What does "irksome" mean?
Irksome: Weary; vexed; uneasy. [Obs.] Let us therefore learn not to be irksome when God layeth his cross upon us. Latimer. -- Irksome, Wearisome, Tedious. These epithets describe things which give pain or disgust. Irksome is applied to something which disgusts by its nature or quality; as, an irksome task. Wearisome denotes that which wearies or wears us out by severe labor; as, wearisome employment. Tedious is applied to something which tires us out by the length of time occupied in its performance; as, a tedious speech. Wearisome nights are appointed to me. Job vii.
Additional senses
- 2.Pity only on fresh objects stays, But with the tedious sight of woes decays. Dryden. -- Irk"some*ly, adv. -- Irk"some*ness, n.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00