In Southern and Appalachian speech, "aggravate" means to annoy, irritate, or pester someone, a regional meaning distinct from the standard English sense "to make worse."
synonyms: annoy, pester, bug, irritate, get on someone’s nerves
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I can tell you that out in the country, we use 'aggravate' way more than 'annoy.' With a brood full of young'uns, you'll hear 'stop aggervatin' her!' 'bout everday.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I can tell you that out in the country, we use 'aggravate' way more than 'annoy.' With a brood full of young'uns, you'll hear 'stop aggervatin' her!' 'bout everday.
Pronunciation
[A-guhr-VAYT]
/ˌæ.ɡər.ˈveɪt/
Meaning & Usage
- To annoy or irritate someone (Southern/Appalachian verbal meaning)
Everyday use
Mae:
Quit tappin’ your foot - you’re aggruh-vatin’ me.
Earl:
Ain’t doin’ nothin’ but sittin’ here.
- To pester or bother persistently (verb)
Talking about kids
Ruby:
Them young’uns been aggravatin’ the fire outta me all mornin’.
variations: aggravatin’, aggravating, aggervate
★ In mountain and Southern talk, "aggravate" almost never means "make worse." If someone says you’re aggravatin’, they don’t mean you’re worsening a problem - they mean you’re getting on their nerves. ★
Origin and Etymology
The original English meaning of "aggravate" was "to make worse," from Latin aggravare, meaning "to weigh down." By the 1800s, Southern and Appalachian speakers developed a distinct regional sense meaning "to annoy or irritate," documented in 19th- and early 20th-century dialect surveys, letters, and oral histories. The clipped and rhythmic pronunciation ("aggruh-vate," "aggruh-vayt") helped the regional sense take strong hold in everyday speech.
Usage Notes
The "annoy/irritate" meaning is one of the most recognizable features of Southern and Appalachian English. While the usage has spread nationally, it remains far more common - and more natural-sounding - in the South. Tone of voice often carries mild exasperation rather than true anger.
Common in family talk: "You’re aggravatin’ me."
Often softened when talking about kids: "He’s just aggravatin’ today."
Pairs with intensifiers: "plum aggravatin’," "pure aggravatin’," "aggravatin’ as a rock."
Does "aggravate" mean the same thing in standard English?
No - standard English uses "aggravate" to mean "make worse," but Southern/Appalachian English uses it to mean "annoy or irritate."
Is it wrong to use "aggravate" this way?
Not in regional speech. It’s widely recognized as a legitimate Southern/Appalachian meaning.
Do people outside the South use it this way?
Yes, but less often. The usage is strongest and most natural in the South and Appalachia.
Is "aggravatin’" a separate word?
It’s the dialectal -in’ form of "aggravating," reflecting the regional pronunciation.
How to Cite This Page
APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 9). Aggravate. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/aggravate
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Aggravate." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/aggravate.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Aggravate." HillbillySlang.com. December 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/aggravate.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
I can tell you that out in the country, we use 'aggravate' way more than 'annoy.' With a brood full of young'uns, you'll hear 'stop aggervatin' her!' 'bout everday. 
