Meaning of aggravate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈæɡrəˌveɪt/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    aggravate

    Etymology

    mid 16th century: from Latin aggravat-‘made heavy’, from the verb aggravare, from ad- (expressing increase) + gravis‘heavy’

    Definitions

    1. make worse

    Examples

    • « This drug aggravates the pain »

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

  2. 2. exasperate or irritate

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « Courage enlarges, cowardice diminishes resources. In desperate straits the fears of the timid aggravate the dangers that imperil the brave. »
    Christian Nestell Bovee
  • « As a former football player who has carried a football more than 4,000 times, trust me, I did not go into ballroom dancing with my body being 100 percent, with no aches or pains or ailments coming with me. When you're dancing, you're doing stuff that your body's not used to, and so you start to aggravate those old injuries. »
    Emmitt Smith

Browse dictionary