Well-read · Character · Work & business
Officious: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Officious adjective. Too keen to assert authority or interfere, especially in small matters.
How to say it
uh-FISH-us/əˈfɪʃəs/
3 syllables, stressed on the second (FISH).
Officious in a sentence
An officious steward made us move our picnic blanket six inches to the left.
The new manager’s officious memos about mugs in the sink annoyed everyone.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- meddlesome
- interfering
- self-important
- bossy
Opposite:
- easy-going
Where officious comes from
From Latin officiosus, dutiful or obliging, from officium, service.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The new manager’s _____ memos about mugs in the sink annoyed everyone.
- officious
- jocular
- antinomian
Show the answer
officious: The new manager’s officious memos about mugs in the sink annoyed everyone.