busybody

American  

[biz-ee-bod-ee] / ˈbɪz iˌbɒd i /

noun

plural

busybodies

1. a person who pries into or meddles in the affairs of others.

   Synonyms:

   blabbermouth, gossip, Nosy Parker, meddler, pry, snoop

---

busybody British  

/ ˈbɪzɪˌbɒdɪ /

noun

1. a meddlesome, prying, or officious person

---

Other Word Forms

• busybodying noun

Etymology

Origin of busybody

First recorded in 1520–30; busy + body

Explanation

A busybody is a nosy, meddling person, who's very interested in what other people say and do. If you're a busybody, you can't help offering advice to friends, whether they want it or not. Busybodies are known for trying to help with situations in which they're not necessarily welcome or needed. You could describe your mom as a busybody if she asks prying questions and tries to orchestrate your romantic life. The word busybody comes from a now-obsolete meaning of busy, "prying" or "meddlesome."

Example Sentences

The movie doesn’t quite know how to handle Mabel: She’s meant to be charmingly determined but comes across as more of a scold and a busybody.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Elizabeth Kelly, best known for playing busybody Nellie Ellis in EastEnders, died peacefully in Scarborough on 31 December, her agent Scott Marshall Partners said.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Your siblings and any other busybody family members would have no say.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

In an age when social media increasingly merges our public and personal lives, corporate HQ needs to resist this sort of busybody meddling.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022

I’m not proud of it—I don’t normally speak to people in that manner, and especially women—but damned if I was going to let some busybody do-gooder foil my outing.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen