Prying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ
prying
[praษชษชล ]
Definitions
suspicious
Excessively interested in a person's private affairs; too inquisitive.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prying |
Used to describe someone who is trying to find out private details about someone's life in a somewhat negative way.
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| meddlesome |
Often used to describe someone who interferes in other people's affairs in an annoying or unwanted way. It has a slightly stronger negative connotation.
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| nosy |
Commonly used in informal settings to describe someone who is overly curious about other people's business. It is usually negative but sometimes used in a playful way.
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| intrusive |
Typically used in formal or semi-formal settings to describe something that disrupts someone's privacy or personal space in an unwelcome way.
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Examples of usage
- She was always prying into other people's business.
- Stop prying into my personal life!
trying to find out something private
Intrusively curious about a person's private affairs.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| prying |
Used when describing someone who is intrusively curious about people's private matters, often with a negative connotation.
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| peep |
Used to describe a quick or secret look, often through a small opening or from a hidden position. It often has a playful or innocent tone.
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| spy |
Often used to describe someone who secretly watches or gathers information, sometimes for official or governmental purposes, but can also be used in more general, suspicious scenarios.
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Examples of usage
- She was prying into his past.
- He kept prying for information about her family.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural Significance
- Many cultures view prying as a lack of respect for privacy, with sayings like 'curiosity killed the cat' warning against excessive inquisitiveness.
- In literature and film, prying often sets the stage for plots around secrets and mysteries, highlighting the importance of trust.
Psychology
- Humans are naturally curious, which can lead to prying into others' affairs, reflecting a desire to connect or understand.
- Social psychologists suggest that prying may stem from insecurity, as individuals seek to affirm their own situations by comparing them to others.
Literature
- Characterizations of prying can be found in classic literature, where nosy neighbors or gossipy figures often drive the plot.
- Famous literary works often explore themes of privacy invasion, revealing the consequences and ethical dilemmas of prying.
Technology
- In the digital age, prying can take the form of online privacy breaches, where personal information is accessed without consent.
- Social media platforms can amplify prying behavior, as users often feel encouraged to share details of their lives, making privacy harder to maintain.
Origin of 'prying'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'prying' comes from the Old English word 'preogan', meaning to break something apart.
- In modern usage, 'prying' evolved to refer to looking into things that are not yours or shouldn't be known.
The word 'prying' originated from the Middle English word 'pryen', meaning to peer or inquire. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in English, describing someone who is excessively interested in others' private affairs. The negative connotation of prying reflects the social norms of privacy and respect for personal boundaries.
See also: pry.