Nosy Meaning and Definition
Nosy
Pronunciation
/ˈnəsi/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A person who is curious and likes to investigate or pry into other people’s affairs.
Examples
- She was a nosy neighbor who always knew what was going on in the street.
- The detective was a nosy person who always wanted to know the details of every crime.
- He was a nosy parker who loved to snoop around in his neighbors’ gardens.
- The gossip columnist was notorious for being nosy and wanting to know everyone’s business.
Synonyms
- Curious
- Intrusive
Antonyms
- Disinterested
- Absent-minded
Etymology
The word “nosy” originates from the Old English word “nǫs”, meaning “nose”, and is related to the verb “to nosed”, which means “to pry” or “to investigate”.
Usage Notes
The word “nosy” is often used to describe someone who is interested in other people’s personal affairs, but can also be used to describe someone who is merely curious.
Cultural References
The term “nosy” has been used in various forms of popular media, such as films, television shows, and literature.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Nose around
- Poke one’s nose in
Related Words or Phrases
- Curiosity
- Snoop
- Gossip
Collocations
- Nosy parker
- Nosy neighbor
Frequency of Use
The word “nosy” is relatively common in modern English, especially in informal contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Nozie
- Nosy-itis