definitions

kibitz

[ kib-its ]
/ ˈkɪb ɪts /
Informal.
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR kibitz ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to act as a kibitzer.

verb (used with object)

to offer advice or criticism to as a kibitzer: to kibitz the team from the bleachers.

RELATED WORDS

hinder, intrude, tamper, impose, infringe, impede, dance, urge, offer, nominate, request, introduce, submit, recommend, ask, violate, poach, overstep, misbehave, encroach

Nearby words

kibbutznik, kibe, kibei, kibi-, kibitka, kibitz, kibitzer, kiblah, kibosh, kick, kick a habit

Origin of kibitz

1925–30, Americanism; < Yiddish kibetsn, equivalent to German kiebitzen to look on at cards, derivative of Kiebitz busybody, literally, lapwing, plover
Can be confusedkibbutz kibitz
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kibitz

  • But as those early weeks passed, the opportunity to kibitz never presented itself.

    "Dave's Whipping Boy"|Paul Shaffer|October 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST

  • He waved a greeting to the desk sergeant and went over to kibitz the card game.

    The Circuit Riders|R. C. FitzPatrick

British Dictionary definitions for kibitz

kibitz

/ (ˈkɪbɪts) /

verb

(intr) US and Canadian informal to interfere or offer unwanted advice, esp as a spectator at a card game
Derived Formskibitzer, noun

Word Origin for kibitz

C20: from Yiddish kibitzen, from German kiebitzen to be an onlooker, from Kiebitz busybody, literally: plover
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