Synonyms

kibitz

American

[kib-its] / ˈkɪb ɪts /

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.

kibitz British

/ ˈkɪbɪts /

verb

informal (intr) to interfere or offer unwanted advice, esp as a spectator at a card game

"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

Other Word Forms

kibitzer noun

Etymology

Origin of kibitz

1925–30, < Yiddish kibetsn, equivalent to German kiebitzen to look on at cards, derivative of Kiebitz busybody, literally, lapwing, plover

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mom mostly kept to herself, when she wasn’t attending Mass at Our Lady of Malibu Church or kibitzing with the checkout clerks at Ralphs.

From Los Angeles Times

Even among the kibitzing chorus, there’s little agreement over exactly what could cost the party control of Congress.

From New York Times

All wisecracking and kibitzing cease and everyone’s attention turns to the fishing pole arching over against the weight of a fish tugging the line taut.

From Seattle Times

Should I really be chuckling over the droll lyrics of kibitzing bystanders?

From Los Angeles Times

As the treasure hunters search, the mystery figure kibitzes.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023