Officious
MEANING:
adjective:
1. Excessively eager in offering unwanted or unneeded advice or help.
2. Acting in pompous or domineering manner, especially in trivial matters.
1. Excessively eager in offering unwanted or unneeded advice or help.
2. Acting in pompous or domineering manner, especially in trivial matters.
ETYMOLOGY:
Earlier, someone officious was dutiful or helpful. Over time, the word
acquired a negative sense. From Latin officiosus (dutiful), from officium
(service). Earliest documented use: 1487.
USAGE:
“Zimmerman, wearing a banker’s collar and projecting an officious air into
the room, continued.”
Sonia Smith; Unfriendly Climate; Texas Monthly (Austin); May 2016.
Sonia Smith; Unfriendly Climate; Texas Monthly (Austin); May 2016.
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