nosy

or nos·ey

[ noh-zee ]
See synonyms for: nosynosiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,nos·i·er, nos·i·est.
  1. unduly curious about the affairs of others; prying; meddlesome.

Origin of nosy

1
First recorded in 1880–85; nose + -y1

Other words from nosy

  • nos·i·ly, adverb
  • nos·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use nosy in a sentence

  • In fact, nosiness and prying are unbecoming at any time, and in no one more than in a military officer.

    The Armed Forces Officer | U. S. Department of Defense
  • It was best not to rouse any deeper suspicions by openly noticing her wifely nosiness.

    The Junkmakers | Albert R. Teichner

British Dictionary definitions for nosy

nosy

nosey

/ (ˈnəʊzɪ) /


adjectivenosier or nosiest
  1. informal prying or inquisitive

Derived forms of nosy

  • nosily, adverb
  • nosiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012