Definition

In a way that annoys or bothers someone.

Example

The child kept asking questions peskily during the movie.

Conversation

Did you notice how the kids were playing peskily in the yard?

Yeah, they just wouldn't stop!

I know, right? They kept running around and making noise.

It's fun to watch, but it can get a bit annoying too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Peskily → The word 'pesky' originates from the dialectal term 'pesky' (meaning troublesome or annoying), which is derived from 'pest' (meaning a plague or annoyance) combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly' (meaning in a manner of). Thus, 'peskily' means in a troublesome or annoying manner.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'troublesome' ('pesky') and how it can happen 'in a manner' ('-ly') that annoys you.

Visually Confused Words