First Known Use: 1565
Dictionary
officious
adjective of·fi·cious \ə-ˈfi-shəs\
—used to describe an annoying person who tries to tell other people what to do in a way that is not wanted or needed
Full Definition of OFFICIOUS
2
: volunteering one's services where they are neither asked nor needed : meddlesome
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Origin of OFFICIOUS
Latin officiosus, from officium service, office
Related to OFFICIOUS
- Synonyms
- busy, interfering, intruding, meddlesome, meddling, nosy (or nosey), obtrusive, intrusive, presuming, presumptuous, protrusive, prying, pushing, pushy, snoopy
- Antonyms
- unobtrusive
Synonym Discussion of OFFICIOUS
impertinent, officious, meddlesome, intrusive, obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others. impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice <resented their impertinent interference>. officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying <officious friends made the job harder>. meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs <a meddlesome landlord>. intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs <tried to be helpful without being intrusive>. obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions <expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety>.
Rhymes with OFFICIOUS
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