officious
objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome: My brother-in-law is so officious that he can be unbearable.
marked by or proceeding from such forwardness: officious interference.
Obsolete. ready to serve; obliging.
Origin of officious
1confusables note For officious
Official can also be an adjective, and that’s when it’s sometimes confused with officious (which is always an adjective). Like many commonly misunderstood words, officious simply looks and sounds as if it could be a synonym for the word it’s confused with—in this case, official.
Given the meaning of official as a noun, it’s not surprising that its adjective senses relate to authority or authorization—for example, “relating to a position of authority” ( the official sovereignty of the queen ); “issued authoritatively” ( waiting for official instructions ); “authorized to act in a designated capacity” ( the project’s official spokesperson ).
Could the adjective officious be that much different? Well, to borrow one of the preceding examples, if you were “waiting for official instructions,” the last thing you’d want is for someone to show up and give you “ officious instructions.” Why? Because officious people rarely have any official authority whatsoever. In fact, what makes them officious is their inclination to be meddlesome and interfering in a self-appointed sort of way. Officious people deliver unsolicited advice, direction, and services regardless of what may or may not be appropriate, and especially without regard for the wishes of those on the receiving end of their “assistance.”
So, if someone shows up to give you officious instructions, by all means wait for the official instructions instead!
Other words for officious
1 | interfering, meddling |
Opposites for officious
Other words from officious
- of·fi·cious·ly, adverb
- of·fi·cious·ness, noun
- o·ver·of·fi·cious, adjective
- o·ver·of·fi·cious·ly, adverb
- o·ver·of·fi·cious·ness, noun
- su·per·of·fi·cious, adjective
- su·per·of·fi·cious·ly, adverb
- su·per·of·fi·cious·ness, noun
- un·of·fi·cious, adjective
- un·of·fi·cious·ly, adverb
- un·of·fi·cious·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with officious
- official, officious (see confusables note at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use officious in a sentence
In Tayabas the officiousness of the Governor almost brought him to an untimely end.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman"A slip of the tongue, which Miss Ida would not have noticed, but for your officiousness," answered Charley.
Alone | Marion HarlandLavater's officiousness is well enough known, and disapproved by all right-thinking men.
Solomon Maimon: An Autobiography. | Solomon MaimonIn any house that we wished to enter we always experienced a kind reception and without officiousness.
A Voyage to the South Sea | William BlighTo illustrate this, let us consider the main danger of childish docility and parental officiousness.
A Treatise on Parents and Children | George Bernard Shaw
British Dictionary definitions for officious
/ (əˈfɪʃəs) /
unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services
marked by such readiness
diplomacy informal or unofficial
obsolete attentive or obliging
Origin of officious
1Derived forms of officious
- officiously, adverb
- officiousness, 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
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