busybody

busy·body | \ ˈbi-zē-ˌbä-dē

How to pronounce busybody (audio)

\

Definition of busybody

: an officious or inquisitive person

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about busybody

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of busybody in a Sentence

The neighborhood busybody is telling everyone that the couple up the street is getting divorced. that busybody across the street is always telling me how to tend to my own garden

Recent Examples on the Web The busybodies are still there, lecturing and occasionally yelling, somehow no more helpful than before, even in this golden opportunity for giving advice. — John Herrman, New York Times, "Nextdoor Pivots to Neighborliness," 25 Mar. 2020 Fans of bargain-bin ’80s horror will find plenty to enjoy: a hair metal soundtrack, girls with feathered bangs, guys in mesh tank tops, studded headbands and a busybody preacher. — Erik Piepenburg, New York Times, "Spriiiing Breeeak, at Home," 19 Mar. 2020 Five singers portrayed the 30 characters, including most of those who appear in Wagner’s original and a few additions, like some rangers and busybodies. — New York Times, "Review: ‘Das Barbecü’ Is Wagner’s ‘Ring’ With a Side of Brisket," 27 Jan. 2020 But vaping looks too much like smoking for our professional busybodies. — The Editors, National Review, "The Absurd Campaign against Vaping," 17 Sep. 2019 Some are being friendly, but a couple of them are busybodies. — Abigail Van Buren, Twin Cities, "Dear Abby: Transgender woman strives to preserve marriage to wife," 25 Sep. 2019 In the title role of the bustling busybody Dolly Levi, Carolee Carmello has a singing voice that’s almost too good for this obstreperous character, which (at least when Carol Channing played her) is known for her nasal whine. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: ‘Hello, Dolly!’ an old-fashioned hoot at The Bushnell," 13 Nov. 2019 Are the neighborhood vigilantes just mean-spirited busybodies aching for an adventure or is there really something nefarious going down? — Joyce Bautista Ferrari, Marie Claire, "The Best Horror Movies That Aren't Too Scary," 1 Oct. 2019 The small office of a private airport called Odyssey served as a gathering place for aid workers, service members, journalists, and wealthy busybodies whose efforts at charity at times took on the appearance of adventure tourism. — Emily Witt, The New Yorker, "A Haphazard Recovery in the Bahamas," 16 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'busybody.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about busybody

Dictionary Entries near busybody

Statistics for busybody

Last Updated

18 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Busybody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/busybody. Accessed 26 May. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

homonymous

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Obscure Shapes

Something that is ooid is shaped like:

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.