nosy
/'nouzi/ Cách viết khác : (nosey) /nosey/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Offensively curious or inquisitive: Showing too much interest in other people's private affairs or business, often in a way that is annoying or intrusive.
Usage
- Describing a person: Used to characterize someone who asks too many personal questions or tries to find out information that is not their concern.
- Describing behavior or actions: Used to describe the intrusive manner in which someone seeks information.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "Nosy parker" (noun, chiefly British): An idiom for a very nosy person; a busybody.
- That old nosy parker is always listening to other people's conversations.
- Used informally, often in a disapproving or critical tone.
Variants and Related Words
- Nosey: An alternative spelling of "nosy."
- Prying (adj.): Excessively inquisitive in a meddling or offensive way. (e.g., )
- Snoopy (adj., informal): Inquisitive in a sneaky or intrusive way. (e.g., )
- Inquisitive (adj.): Curious or inquiring. (This can be neutral or positive, unlike "nosy," which is always negative.)
Synonyms
- Curious (can be neutral or positive, but in context can imply nosiness)
- Meddlesome
- Interfering
- Intrusive
Antonyms
- Discreet
- Uninquisitive
- Respectful of privacy
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Stick/poke one's nose into (something): To interfere or be nosy about something.
- I wish she wouldn't stick her nose into my personal life.
Adjective
- offensively curious or inquisitive
- curious about the neighbor's doings
- he flipped through my letters in his nosy way
- prying eyes
- the snoopy neighbor watched us all day