Pronunciation: [pˈɛski] (IPA) 
The word "pesky" is spelled with the letters p-e-s-k-y. It is pronounced /ˈpɛski/. The "pe" is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a "sk" sound pronounced with the "s" sound and the "k" sound. The "y" at the end is pronounced with an "ee" sound. "Pesky" is an adjective used to describe someone or something annoying or troublesome. The spelling and pronunciation of this word can be confusing for English learners.
Pesky is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is bothersome, persistent, or irritating in nature. It refers to an annoyance that is difficult to shake off or get rid of. This term is often used in a lighthearted or slightly playful manner.
When used to describe an object or situation, pesky refers to something that is causing minor inconvenience or frustration, such as a malfunctioning electronic device or a persistent leak. It suggests that the issue is not necessarily major or catastrophic, but still manages to be bothersome due to its persistence.
When applied to a person, pesky is used to describe someone who is consistently exasperating or irritating, usually in a mischievous or playful way. It can refer to a person who constantly interrupts or pesters others, making it difficult to focus or get things done.
The word pesky often carries a connotation of mild annoyance or frustration rather than genuine anger or extreme irritation. It is commonly used to lighten the tone when discussing persistent nuisances, allowing for a more casual or even humorous approach to describing these disruptions.
Overall, pesky describes something or someone that is annoying, bothersome, or persistent, though not necessarily to the point of extreme frustration.
Troublesome.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word pesky is believed to have originated in the early 18th century. It is derived from the adjective pesk, which was used in Scottish dialects and meant perky, brisk, or lively. This term then evolved into pesky, which was used to describe someone or something that was troublesome, annoying, or persistent. The exact origin of pesk is uncertain, but it may have been influenced by words such as pester or pestilent.
