Prying: meaning, definitions and examples

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prying

[ praɪɪŋ ]

^{Context #1}

suspicious

Excessively interested in a person's private affairs; too inquisitive.

Synonyms

intrusive, meddlesome, nosy

Examples of usage

She was always prying into other people's business.
Stop prying into my personal life!

^{Context #2}

trying to find out something private

Intrusively curious about a person's private affairs.

Synonyms

peep, snoop, spy

Examples of usage

She was prying into his past.
He kept prying for information about her family.

Translations

Translations of the word "prying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intrometido

🇮🇳 टोह लेने वाला (ṭoh lene vālā)

🇩🇪 neugierig

🇮🇩 ingin tahu

🇺🇦 допитливий

🇵🇱 wścibski

🇯🇵 詮索好き (sensaku-zuki)

🇫🇷 curieux

🇪🇸 curioso

🇹🇷 meraklı

🇰🇷 참견하는 (chamgyeonhaneun)

🇸🇦 فضولي (fuḍūlī)

🇨🇿 zvědavý

🇸🇰 zvedavý

🇨🇳 好奇 (hàoqí)

🇸🇮 radoveden

🇮🇸 forvitinn

🇰🇿 қызыққұмар (qyzıqqumar)

🇬🇪 ცნობისმოყვარე (tsnobismots'q'vare)

🇦🇿 maraq göstərən

🇲🇽 curioso

Word origin

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.