busy-body

A busy-body neighbor is always peeking over the fence.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A meddlesome person: "busy-body" refers to someone who interferes in the affairs of others, often unnecessarily or without being invited. This person is typically overly curious, nosy, and eager to involve themselves in matters that do not concern them.
   • An overly active person: In a less common sense, it can describe someone who is constantly busy or bustling about, but the primary meaning is negative, focusing on unwanted interference.

Usage Examples

• (A person who meddles in others' private lives.)
• (Someone who interferes in workplace matters.)
• (A warning against unwanted meddling.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a busy-body": to habitually interfere in the affairs of others.

  • She can't help being a busy-body; she feels it's her duty to know everything. (She is naturally inclined to meddle.)

• "busy-body tendencies": a pattern of behaviour involving excessive curiosity or interference.

  • His busy-body tendencies made him unpopular at the community meeting. (His habit of meddling annoyed others.)

Variants and Related Words

• Busy-bodying (n): the act or habit of being a busy-body.

  • Her constant busy-bodying irritated the whole neighbourhood. (The act of meddling in others' affairs.)

• Busy-body (adj): describing someone or something related to being a busy-body.

  • She had a busy-body attitude that no one liked. (An attitude of unnecessary interference.)

Synonyms

• Meddler: a person who interferes in other people's business.
• Nosy parker: a colloquial term for someone who is overly curious about others' lives.
• Snoop: someone who secretly investigates or pries into private matters.
• Interloper: a person who intrudes into a situation where they are not welcome.

Related Idioms

• Stick one's nose into: to interfere or pry into someone else's affairs.

  • He always sticks his nose into other people's arguments, just like a busy-body. (He meddles unnecessarily.)

• Mind one's own business: to avoid interfering in others' affairs (often used as a rebuke to a busy-body).

  • If you were less of a busy-body, you would learn to mind your own business. (A suggestion to stop meddling.)