officious
[uh-fish-uh s]
- 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
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com1. interfering, meddling.
Antonyms
1. retiring.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for officiously
Contemporary Examples
“I think that should be fine,” said Sam, officiously making a note on her clipboard.
Historical Examples
"Chaunge places with me, sir," cried the Lothario, officiously.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
But who is the gentleman who is just going up to them and handing them a tumbler so officiously?
A Hero of Our TimeM. Y. Lermontov
"The new chief will decide about those things," said Shanklin officiously.
The Devil's AsteroidManly Wade Wellman
Why have the police been officially—and officiously—searching the house, then?
The Chestermarke InstinctJ. S. Fletcher
"Say, I can tell you that right off the reel," declared Bristles, officiously.
Fred Fenton on the TrackAllen Chapman
officious
- unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services
- marked by such readiness
- diplomacy informal or unofficial
- obsolete attentive or obliging
Word Origin
C16: from Latin officiōsus kindly, from officium service; see office
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for officiously
officious
adj.
1560s, "zealous, eager to serve," from Latin officiosus "full of courtesy, dutiful, obliging," from officium "duty, service" (see office). Sense of "meddlesome, doing more than is asked or required" had emerged by 1600 (in officiously). An officious lie (1570s) is one told to do good to another person (from Latin mendocium officiosum or French mensonge officieux). Related: Officiousness.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper