meddlesome

[ med-l-suh m ]

/ ˈmɛd l səm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR meddlesome ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

given to meddling; interfering; intrusive.

Nearby words

Origin of meddlesome

First recorded in 1605–15; meddle + -some¹

Related formsmed·dle·some·ly, adverbmed·dle·some·ness, nounun·med·dle·some, adjective

Synonym study

See curious.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for meddlesome

Molly Goldberg was a radio and TV character synonymous with a meddlesome sort of Jewish mother for generations of Americans.
The Strange Power of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’|Jen Vafidis|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Under Musharraf, the military was seen as meddlesome and oppressive force.
Pakistan’s bin Laden Scapegoat|Ron Moreau|May 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Annoyed, young Rush sends out a pouting "who will rid me of these meddlesome hippies?"
Rush Limbaugh! The Musical|Rick Perlstein|February 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
As he worked, the boy Icarus stood by watching his father, and sometimes handling the feathers with his meddlesome fingers.
Van Dyck|Estelle M. Hurll

These were intensely strengthened by the imprudence of a meddlesome neighbor.
Hubert's Wife|Minnie Mary Lee
He was playing with the colonel's offering as a child plays with fire, with the same intent face and meddlesome maladroitness.
Witching Hill|E. W. Hornung
And I thought I heard her murmur something about a meddlesome old maid.
That Affair Next Door|Anna Katharine Green
What induced that meddlesome old Patell, Sheykh Abdoolla, to show them the way?
A Noble Queen (Volume II of III)|Philip Meadows Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for meddlesome

meddlesome

/ (ˈmɛdəlsəm) /

adjective

intrusive or meddling

Derived Formsmeddlesomely, adverbmeddlesomeness, 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

Word Origin and History for meddlesome

meddlesome

adj.

1610s, from meddle + -some (1). Earlier was medlous "quarrelsome, meddlesome" (mid-15c.). Related: Meddlesomely. Character name Meddlesome Mattie attested from 1814.

meddlesome

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of meddlesome

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for meddlesome

meddlesome

adjective

meddlesome