Bane

/beɪn/
noun

The cause of great distress or annoyance.

The constant noise of traffic was the bane of my existence in the city.
Visual representation of "bane" - The cause of great distress or annoyance

Often appears as...

  • bane of my existence
  • bane of his life

Usage tips

Disapproving

noun

A poisonous substance, especially in plants.

The foxglove plant is beautiful but its leaves are a deadly bane to humans and animals.
Visual representation of "bane" - A poisonous substance, especially in plants

Often appears as...

  • deadly bane
  • poison bane

Usage tips

Technical

noun

The cause of great distress or annoyance.

The constant noise of traffic was the bane of my existence in the city.
Visual representation of "bane" - The cause of great distress or annoyance

Often appears as...

  • bane of my existence
  • bane of his life

Usage tips

Disapproving

noun

A poisonous substance, especially in plants.

The foxglove plant is beautiful but its leaves are a deadly bane to humans and animals.
Visual representation of "bane" - A poisonous substance, especially in plants

Often appears as...

  • deadly bane
  • poison bane

Usage tips

Technical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "bane"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Describes something negatively impactful; brings frustration or harm.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Smartphones can be the bane of productive work hours.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emotional Weight

Brings out strong feelings; often used to express a personal burden.

Illustration for Emotional Weight
Missing the last train home became the bane of her evening.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Hyperbolic Expression

Can be used hyperbolically to exaggerate minor annoyances.

Illustration for Hyperbolic Expression
Homework is the bane of my existence, even though it's just for a short time.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Describes something negatively impactful; brings frustration or harm.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Smartphones can be the bane of productive work hours.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emotional Weight

Brings out strong feelings; often used to express a personal burden.

Illustration for Emotional Weight
Missing the last train home became the bane of her evening.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Hyperbolic Expression

Can be used hyperbolically to exaggerate minor annoyances.

Illustration for Hyperbolic Expression
Homework is the bane of my existence, even though it's just for a short time.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Describes something negatively impactful; brings frustration or harm.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Smartphones can be the bane of productive work hours.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emotional Weight

Brings out strong feelings; often used to express a personal burden.

Illustration for Emotional Weight
Missing the last train home became the bane of her evening.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Hyperbolic Expression

Can be used hyperbolically to exaggerate minor annoyances.

Illustration for Hyperbolic Expression
Homework is the bane of my existence, even though it's just for a short time.
Visual representation of the word "Bane"

Never forget "Bane"

Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google PlayGet it from MicrosoftGet it on AppGallery

Video examples

The science behind the...

leading some to suggest the myths might have been fictional expressions of real experiences. The earliest versions of Homer's text say that Circe mixed baneful drugs into the food such that the crew might utterly forget their native land.

Video examples

Multiple Husbands PIPE...

very important the wife has to understand everything up submissive be a Cuby the older brothers nature if the younger brothers Nature had taught over kissing what about jealousy that bane of

Video examples

The science behind the...

leading some to suggest the myths might have been fictional expressions of real experiences. The earliest versions of Homer's text say that Circe mixed baneful drugs into the food such that the crew might utterly forget their native land.

Video examples

Multiple Husbands PIPE...

very important the wife has to understand everything up submissive be a Cuby the older brothers nature if the younger brothers Nature had taught over kissing what about jealousy that bane of

Example 1 of 2

Quote examples

Sonya Hartnett

Australian Author

I have spent a great deal of my time defending my work against those who see it as too complicated, too old in approach, too bleak to qualify as children's literature. This has been the bane of my life.
Portrait of Sonya Hartnett

Quote examples

Denise Lewis

British Athlete

I did the long jump and hurt my foot. It was a stress fracture in the left foot, which even now, 12 years on, is the bane of my life.
Portrait of Denise Lewis

Quote examples

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

English Poet

World's use is cold, world's love is vain, world's cruelty is bitter bane; but is not the fruit of pain.
Portrait of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Quote examples

Franz Boas

American Scientist

The disease of mutual distrust among nations is the bane of modern civilization.
Portrait of Franz Boas

Quote examples

Thomas Paine

English Activist

Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.
Portrait of Thomas Paine

Quote examples

Zebulon Pike

American Soldier

Why cannot we correct the baneful passions, without weakening the good?
Portrait of Zebulon Pike

Quote examples

Nigel Hamilton

British Author

Bad reviews are the bane of an author's post-publication existence.
Portrait of Nigel Hamilton

Quote examples

Marti Noxon

American Writer

The bane of every TV writer's existence is the likability note.
Portrait of Marti Noxon

Quote examples

Olusegun Obasanjo

Nigerian Statesman

Corruption, the greatest single bane of our society today.
Portrait of Olusegun Obasanjo

Quote examples

Stephen Grellet

American Clergyman

Baneful indeed is the scourge of war.
Portrait of Stephen Grellet

Quote examples

Sonya Hartnett

Australian Author

I have spent a great deal of my time defending my work against those who see it as too complicated, too old in approach, too bleak to qualify as children's literature. This has been the bane of my life.
Portrait of Sonya Hartnett

Quote examples

Denise Lewis

British Athlete

I did the long jump and hurt my foot. It was a stress fracture in the left foot, which even now, 12 years on, is the bane of my life.
Portrait of Denise Lewis

Quote examples

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

English Poet

World's use is cold, world's love is vain, world's cruelty is bitter bane; but is not the fruit of pain.
Portrait of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Quote examples

Franz Boas

American Scientist

The disease of mutual distrust among nations is the bane of modern civilization.
Portrait of Franz Boas

Quote examples

Thomas Paine

English Activist

Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.
Portrait of Thomas Paine

Quote examples

Zebulon Pike

American Soldier

Why cannot we correct the baneful passions, without weakening the good?
Portrait of Zebulon Pike

Quote examples

Nigel Hamilton

British Author

Bad reviews are the bane of an author's post-publication existence.
Portrait of Nigel Hamilton

Quote examples

Marti Noxon

American Writer

The bane of every TV writer's existence is the likability note.
Portrait of Marti Noxon

Quote examples

Olusegun Obasanjo

Nigerian Statesman

Corruption, the greatest single bane of our society today.
Portrait of Olusegun Obasanjo

Quote examples

Stephen Grellet

American Clergyman

Baneful indeed is the scourge of war.
Portrait of Stephen Grellet
Example 1 of 10
Chrome

WordUp Chrome Extension

As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.

Get Chrome Extension
Back to top