nosy

Nosy is used to describe someone who asks too many questions about or otherwise pries into other people’s business because they are overly curious about it. It’s especially used to describe someone who does this all the time.

A much less common spelling of nosy is nosey.

The related phrasal verbs nose in and stick one’s nose in mean to get into other people’s business—to pry or snoop.

People who are considered nosy are known for prying, snooping, asking overly personal questions, eavesdropping (listening to other people’s conversations), and generally nosing into other people’s business.

Nosy can also be used to describe such a person’s behavior and the kinds of questions they ask, as in I ignored all of his nosy questions about my medical history. 

Although the term implies a lack of respect for other people’s privacy, calling someone nosy is usually only mildly negative and is often somewhat playful. It’s not usually used in situations that involve serious or harmful violations of privacy.

The word is sometimes used to address or refer to someone as a way of saying that they are nosy, as in Hey, nosy, quit looking in my notebook. 

Example: My neighbor is as nosy as they get—she always asks where I’m going when I leave and where I’ve been when I get back!

The first records of nosy come from the 1800s. The word nose has been used as a verb meaning “to pry” since at least the 1600s.

This figurative sense of nose is based on the idea of searching for something by using one’s sense of smell. The phrases nose about, nose around, and sniff around mean to look around for something, especially something private or hidden. In many cases, they imply that someone is not looking for something specific—they’re just snooping around to see what they can find. This is exactly what a nosy person does.

What are some other forms related to nosy?

• nosey (less common spelling)
• nosier (comparative adjective)
• nosiest (superlative adjective)
• nosily (adverb)
• nosiness (noun)

What are some synonyms for nosy?

• prying
• intrusive

What are some words that share a root or word element with nosy? 

• nose
• nose in
• nose about

What are some words that often get used in discussing nosy?

• busybody
• pry
• meddle
• snoop
• business
• neighbor
• curious

Nosy is typically used in a mildly negative way. People sometimes even call themselves nosy to acknowledge that they’re overly curious about other people’s business.

My mom is so nosy that I will have the smallest smile on my face and she asks EVERY time “what are you smiling about over there” 😂😂😂

— Taylor Madison ♓️🌙 (@Taymadison1997) November 16, 2020

I’m so nosy. And it’s purely for entertainment purposes.

— Jasmine (@jazzandd) November 15, 2020

i’m so nosy that today i put in headphones and didn’t play any music just so i could listen to a couple fight at a table across from me

— zoë surprise (@zoesurprise12) November 8, 2017

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to describe someone who’s considered nosy?

A. prying
B. meddlesome
C. indifferent
D. curious