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bane

Noun

IPA /beɪn/

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Meaning in plain English

Something that repeatedly causes trouble or unhappiness.

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Pronunciation

bane/beɪn/

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Loud noise keeps returning
It causes continuing trouble

A recurring source of trouble can be the bane of someone's life.

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Examples in context

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Mosquitoes are the bane of our summer camping trips.
Missing references became the bane of the editor's week.

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Mosquitoes are the ________ of our summer camping trips.

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bane — Something that repeatedly causes trouble or unhappiness.

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Something that repeatedly causes trouble or unhappiness.

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Word origin

From Old English bana, used for something causing death or harm.

Did you know?

The bane of my life is an expressive phrase for a persistent nuisance.

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