WordGarden.iohassle
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈæsəl/
US
- /ˈhæsəl/
Meanings
Noun
an annoying difficulty or inconvenience
an argument, dispute, or troublesome conflict
Verb
(informal)to annoy, pester, or harass someone
Beyond the definition
"Hassle" describes something that causes trouble, annoyance, or extra effort. It is usually not just one small problem; it is the whole annoying process around it. Think of trying to return a broken product without a receipt: that is a hassle. Or imagine waking up late for work and having every small task go wrong at once; together, they become a real hassle. You can have a hassle, face one, or cause one for someone else.
The word also works as a verb, meaning to bother, pressure, or keep bugging someone. If a friend keeps pushing you to do them a favor, you might say they are "hassling" you. In everyday conversation, it usually refers to small but annoying problems, though it can also describe bigger situations that drag on and wear you out.
"Hassle" refers to involvement in an activity that is annoying, time-consuming, or troublesome. It describes something that requires significant effort and causes frustration—it is not just a single obstacle, but often the tedious process of dealing with that obstacle. For example, saying "The long lines at the airport were a real hassle" implies that the entire experience was draining and inconvenient.
In terms of usage, you can experience a hassle (like navigating complicated bureaucracy), cause a hassle for someone else (by giving them extra work), or avoid a hassle (by planning ahead). It is most commonly used in informal settings to describe daily irritations, such as the hassle of finding a parking spot downtown or the hassle of cleaning up after a large party.
However, "hassle" can scale up to describe serious burdens. A complex legal battle or an endless stream of paperwork could be described as a "major hassle." The word carries an underlying sense of being pressured or bothered, which relates to its verb form: to pester or argue with someone.
Interestingly, the phrase "no hassle" is a powerful tool in advertising to suggest ease and convenience. Businesses frequently promise a "hassle-free" return policy or a "no-hassle" shopping experience to appeal to customers. This highlights the word's negative connotation; because people naturally find hassles exhausting, the promise of their absence is a major selling point. Whether it is a minor annoyance or a significant struggle, a "hassle" is anything that makes life more complicated than it needs to be.
Examples
- 1
Everyday annoyance
Getting a parking permit was a real hassle.
- 2
Avoiding inconvenience
We booked the tickets online to save ourselves the hassle of waiting in line.
- Patternsave someone the hassle of doing X
help them avoid an annoying task
- 3
Cost decision
It would be cheaper to repair the old printer, but it isn't worth the hassle.
- Phraseworth the hassle
worth the trouble or extra effort
- 4
Polite request
Sorry to hassle you, but could you check this one more time?
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Smooth service
The hotel changed our room without any hassle.
- Phrasewithout any hassle
easily, with no problems
- 6
Media pressure
Reporters kept hassling the actor for a comment.
- Patternhassle someone for + desired thing
keep bothering them about it
- 7
Customer service
If a customer says no, don't hassle them.
- 8
Security check
He got hassled by security when he tried to go back inside.
- Phraseget hassled
be bothered or questioned in an annoying way
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hasslenounverb
Forms
- hasslespluralnounverb
- hassledpast tenseverbnoun
- hassling-ing formverbnoun