Other forms: aggravations
Aggravation is a worsening of a problem, or persistent annoyance. Aggravation of the injury, endless aggravation, cause aggravation.
Strictly it means making something worse, and purists insist it cannot mean irritation — but that sense is four hundred years old and is not going anywhere. In law, an aggravating factor is one that makes an offence more serious.
1nounaggravationA worsening of a problem, or persistent annoyance.
“Moving house brought nothing but aggravation, from lost boxes to broken furniture.”
aggravation is a worsening.
Latin aggravare means to make heavier — ad plus gravis, heavy. Grave and gravity are relatives.
Proto-Indo-European
*gʷreh₂-
Middle French
aggravation
English, today
aggravation
From Middle French aggravation.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA