something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness
"washing dishes was a nuisance before we got a dish washer"
"a bit of a bother"
"he's not a friend, he's an infliction"
Fuss, ado.
"The whole fuss over a spilled drop of milk was unnecessary bother."
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
"He did not trouble to call his mother on her birthday"
"Don't bother, please"
to cause inconvenience or discomfort to
"Sorry to trouble you, but..."
make nervous or agitated
"The mere thought of her bothered him and made his heart beat faster"
make confused or perplexed or puzzled
"The complex instructions thoroughly bothered him, leaving him unsure of which step to take next."
To annoy, to disturb, to irritate.
"The loud construction noise next door really bothered him all afternoon."
In plain English: To bother someone means to annoy them by asking too many questions, making noise, or getting in their way.
"Please do not bother me while I am working on my report."
A mild expression of annoyance.
"I hope you don't mind me bothering you while I ask a quick question."
The word bother comes from the Scots bauther or bather, but its ultimate origin is unknown. It may be connected to other words like pother and possibly even an Irish term for noise that means "to annoy."