officious — assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters
Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈfɪʃəs/
Example Sentences
- My officious neighbor keeps telling me how to park my car in my own driveway.
- The officious flight attendant corrected passengers' grammar during the safety announcement.
- Don't be so officious - nobody asked for your help with organizing the party.
officious
ADJECTIVE[/əˈfɪʃəs/]
assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters
Overly bossy about trivial matters
Off-fish-us boss fish demands strict rules in office aquarium
The officious boss grows suspicious, then melts when it's delicious!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'officiosus' meaning 'obliging' or 'dutiful,' derived from 'officium' meaning 'duty' or 'office.' The word entered English in the 16th century, gradually acquiring its negative connotation of being overly assertive about one's duties.
Breakdown
offic- (Latin 'officium' = duty/office) + -ious (adjective suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by') = officious (full of or characterized by excessive assertion of duty)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My officious neighbor keeps telling me how to park my car in my own driveway.”
“The officious flight attendant corrected passengers' grammar during the safety announcement.”
“Don't be so officious - nobody asked for your help with organizing the party.”
“The officious receptionist insisted on explaining the elevator buttons to every visitor.”
📚Related Words
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