| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | troubler, from Vulgar Latin turbulare, from Latin turbidus; TURBID |
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trouble2 [transitive]
1 if a problem troubles you, it makes you feel worried or upset :
There is one thing that's been troubling me.
His conscience troubled him.
worry
There is one thing that's been troubling me.
His conscience troubled him.2 to say something or ask someone to do something which may use or waste their time or upset them [= bother]:
I promise not to trouble you again.
inconvenience
formal
I promise not to trouble you again. trouble somebody with something
I don't want to trouble the doctor with it.
I won't trouble you with the details.
I don't want to trouble the doctor with it.
I won't trouble you with the details.3 used when politely asking someone to do something for you or give you something :
Sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me the way to the station, please?
May I trouble you for the salt?
may I trouble you?/sorry to trouble you
spoken formal
Sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me the way to the station, please?
May I trouble you for the salt?4 used to politely tell someone not to help you :
Please don't trouble yourself. I can manage.
don't trouble yourself
spoken
Please don't trouble yourself. I can manage.5 to not do something because it needs too much effort [= not bother to do something]:
They never troubled to ask me what I would like.
Luke didn't trouble to hide his disgust. ! It is much more usual to use bother: Don't bother to call first - just come over. | I didn't bother to change all the sheets.
not trouble to do something
They never troubled to ask me what I would like.
Luke didn't trouble to hide his disgust.6 if a medical problem troubles you, it causes you pain or problems :
He is still being troubled by an ankle injury.
health problem
He is still being troubled by an ankle injury.7 to cause someone problems or difficulties :
They look good enough to trouble most teams in the competition.
cause problems
They look good enough to trouble most teams in the competition.