officious

[ uh-fish-uhs ]
/ əˈfɪʃ əs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR officious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome: an officious person.
marked by or proceeding from such forwardness: officious interference.
Obsolete. ready to serve; obliging.

Origin of officious

1555–65; < Latin officiōsus obliging, dutiful, equivalent to offici(um) office + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR officious

1 interfering, meddling.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR officious ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM officious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH officious

official officious officiate officious

Words nearby officious

officially, officiant, officiary, officiate, officinal, officious, officious will, offing, offish, offlap, offline

Words related to officiousness

disrespect, interest, concern, nerve, misbehavior, vulgarity, sharpness, asperity, irritability, acrimony, discourtesy, grossness, impudence, coarseness, boldness, impertinence, incivility, brass, effrontery, harshness

Example sentences from the Web for officiousness

British Dictionary definitions for officiousness

officious
/ (əˈfɪʃəs) /

adjective

unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services
marked by such readiness
diplomacy informal or unofficial
obsolete attentive or obliging

Derived forms of officious

officiously, adverb officiousness, noun

Word Origin for officious

C16: from Latin officiōsus kindly, from officium service; see office