busybody

noun

busy·​body ˈbi-zē-ˌbä-dē How to pronounce busybody (audio)
: an officious or inquisitive person

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not that Miss Manners believes that hearing that explanation — or any other — would discourage a determined busybody. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025 Of all people to hand a secret to, a religious busybody has to be among the worst. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024 Fiona Shaw plays the maiden sister of Roger Muldoon, friend of Grace, general busybody, possessor of zero ability to read a room. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 This style of browsing is distinct from the hunter and the busybody, as the dancer weaves a path through new information across broad subjects that have some tangible link. New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for busybody 

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of busybody was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near busybody

Cite this Entry

“Busybody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/busybody. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

busybody

noun
busy·​body ˈbiz-ē-ˌbäd-ē How to pronounce busybody (audio)
: a person who meddles in the affairs of others

More from Merriam-Webster on busybody

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!