officious Hear it!

officious Definition

of·fi·cious (ə fis̸həs)

adjective

  1. Obsolete ready to serve; obliging
  2. offering unnecessary and unwanted advice or services; meddlesome, esp. in a highhanded or overbearing way
  3. in diplomacy, unofficial or informal

Etymology: L officiosus < officium, office

officious Related Forms

of·fi·ciously adverb of·fi·cious·ness noun

officious Synonyms

officious

modif.

interfering, self-important, impertinent; see meddlesome, rude 2.

officious Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • official: After 1/2 h officious official tells us that ' nose coverings ' aren't allowed.
  • man: He was aware of officious men opening a door before him.
  • referee: All it would take was an officious referee for there to be potentially explosive results.
  • manner: Our nervous laughter was cut short by his officious manner!
  • attention: The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention.
  • officer: He is one of the only members of staff to be on Meg's side against more officious officers.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: King Henry's Fort was considerably enlarged by Charles II when the Dutch fleet were making themselves very officious in the Thames and Medway.
  • rather: It turned out that the usual " guard " on that duty was a rather officious elderly dragon of a conductress.
  • over: Alan Quinn The only thing that spoiled the evening's entertainment was the attitude of referee Paul Danson who was over officious throughout.