The spelling of the word "aggravate" can be confusing for some people, as it sounds similar to "irritate" or "annoy." However, the correct pronunciation of "aggravate" is /ˈæɡ.rə.veɪt/ with emphasis on the second syllable. The spelling of the word originates from the Latin root "aggravare," which means to make heavier or more serious. To avoid confusion with similar sounding words, it's important to remember the correct spelling and pronunciation of "aggravate."
Aggravate is a verb that is used to describe the act of making a situation, problem, or condition worse or more severe. It implies intensifying or exacerbating an already existing issue or difficulty. It can also refer to the act of annoying, irritating, or provoking someone or something.
In the context of a situation or problem, aggravate signifies making it more serious, severe, or complicated. It involves actions that contribute to the deterioration or escalation of the problem at hand. For instance, adding fuel to a fire can aggravate the blaze. Similarly, exacerbating an injury by engaging in physical activity can aggravate the pain or damage.
When it comes to people or animals, aggravate refers to actions or behaviors that irritate or provoke them to negative responses. It may involve actions such as teasing, disturbing, or bothering someone or something. For example, constantly interrupting a person while they are trying to work can aggravate them, causing frustration and annoyance.
In summary, aggravate is a multifaceted verb used to describe the act of making a situation, problem, or condition worse or more severe. It encompasses intensifying existing issues or difficulties and irritating or provoking people or animals. Understanding the concept of aggravation is essential for effective problem-solving and maintaining healthy relationships with others.
To make anything worse or less endurable.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "aggravate" comes from the Latin verb "aggravare", derived from the combining of two words: "ad", meaning "to", and "gravare", meaning "to make heavy or burdened". In Latin, the term "aggravare" referred to making something more severe, burdensome, or troublesome. Over time, this meaning evolved in the English language to its current usage, primarily indicating the act of irritating, intensifying, or making a situation worse.