Nosy: meaning, definitions and examples

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nosy

[ˈnəʊzi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

curious

Showing too much curiosity about other people's affairs

Synonyms

curious, intrusive, prying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nosy	This word is often used to describe someone who is overly interested in other people's private matters. It typically has a negative connotation. She is so nosy, always looking through her neighbors' windows He tends to be nosy about his colleagues' personal lives
curious	This word describes someone who is interested in learning or discovering new things. It usually has a positive or neutral connotation. The curious child asked many questions about the stars I'm curious to know how this machine works
prying	This word refers to someone trying to find out private information about others, often by being too direct or pushy. It usually has a negative connotation. Stop prying into my personal affairs! The prying journalist wouldn't leave her alone
intrusive	This word describes actions or behavior that invades someone's personal space or privacy. It carries a negative connotation. Her questions were intrusive and made him uncomfortable The intrusive neighbor kept asking private questions

Examples of usage

She's always asking nosy questions about my personal life
Stop being so nosy, it's none of your business

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

inquisitive

Showing an excessive interest in the affairs of others

Synonyms

busybody, inquisitive, meddlesome.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nosy	When someone is overly curious about other people's private affairs in an annoying way. My neighbor is so nosy; she keeps asking about my personal life. Don't be nosy, it's none of your business.
inquisitive	Refers to a person who is eager for knowledge and likes to ask questions, generally in a positive or neutral sense. Her inquisitive nature makes her a great scientist. The child is very inquisitive, always asking how things work.
meddlesome	Describes someone who interferes in things that don't concern them, often with a negative connotation. He can be quite meddlesome, always offering unsolicited advice. Her meddlesome behavior caused a lot of problems in the team.
busybody	Used to describe a person who interferes in other people's matters out of curiosity or gossiping interest. He's such a busybody, always butting into everyone's conversations. The office busybody spread rumors about the new employee.

Examples of usage

The nosy neighbor was always peeking through the curtains
I can't stand her nosy attitude

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

meddlesome

Interfering or meddling in other people's business

Synonyms

intrusive, meddlesome, prying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
nosy	When someone asks too many personal questions or shows too much interest in things that don't concern them. It can have a negative connotation. My neighbor is very nosy and always asks about my personal life
meddlesome	When someone interferes in other people's affairs or business, often causing problems. This word has a distinctly negative tone. The meddlesome colleague kept trying to tell everyone how to do their jobs
prying	Indicates unwanted or excessive curiosity, similar to 'nosy', but can sometimes imply a bit more effort to uncover private information. She found her roommate prying into her diary again
intrusive	Usually used in more formal situations where someone's actions violate personal space or privacy. It implies a more serious level of annoyance or discomfort. The intrusive reporter wouldn't stop asking about their private matters

Examples of usage

She's so nosy, always sticking her nose where it doesn't belong
I don't appreciate your nosy behavior

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'nosy' first appeared in the 17th century, derived from the word 'nose'.
Originally, it referred to someone with a 'nose' for finding out secrets.
The idea relates closely to the act of 'snooping', where one investigates or pries into others' affairs.

Psychology

Some studies show that being nosy may stem from curiosity, a natural human trait that helps us learn about our environment.
While often viewed negatively, curiosity can foster social bonds as it encourages interest in others’ lives.
Nosy behavior can sometimes be motivated by a desire to feel connected or informed, especially in close-knit communities.

Pop Culture

Nosy characters are often depicted in sitcoms and movies, showcasing humor in their intrusiveness.
In children's literature, nosy characters may prompt lessons about privacy and respect for others.
The popular board game 'Clue' involves a mix of being nosy and solving mysteries as players inquire about each other’s secrets.

Education

Encouraging healthy curiosity can lead to positive engagement, while teaching boundaries can deter nosy behavior.
In classroom settings, being nosy about classmates’ work can help foster teamwork but should always respect privacy.
Educational materials often address the fine line between curiosity and nosiness, emphasizing empathy and respect.

Translations

Translations of the word "nosy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 curioso

🇮🇳 जिज्ञासु

🇩🇪 neugierig

🇮🇩 penasaran

🇺🇦 цікавий

🇵🇱 ciekawski

🇯🇵 好奇心旺盛な (こうきしんおうせいな)

🇫🇷 curieux

🇪🇸 curioso

🇹🇷 meraklı

🇰🇷 호기심 많은 (hogisim manh-eun)

🇸🇦 فضولي

🇨🇿 zvědavý

🇸🇰 zvedavý

🇨🇳 好奇的 (hàoqí de)

🇸🇮 radoveden

🇮🇸 forvitinn

🇰🇿 қызыққұмар

🇬🇪 ცნობისმოყვარე

🇦🇿 maraqlı

🇲🇽 curioso

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,200 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
30197 granulate
30198 griping
30199 scrimmage
30200 nosy
30201 subsume
30202 haulers
30203 restates
...