noun

kibitzer

KIB-it-ser/ˈkɪbɪtsər/

An onlooker who offers unwanted advice or comments.

The kibitzer points at her cards, but she waves him off.

An uninvited standing spectator leans over a seated card player's shoulder, pointing at her hand and saying, “Play that one!” She turns toward him with an irritated expression and a raised stop palm, replying, “Let me play.” A second seated player waits across the table, making the spectator's nonplaying role clear.

Etymology

The lapwing’s reputation as a meddler underlies the verb for giving unwelcome advice at cards. The agent ending names the person doing this: an interfering spectator.

More examples

A kibitzer watches our chess game and suggests every move.
I need someone to help assemble these shelves, not another kibitzer.
The cook shoos the kibitzers out of the kitchen.

Forms

kibitzer · kibitzers

kibitz verb — To offer unsolicited advice as an onlooker.

Similar words

backseat driver: Emphasizes unwanted directions about a task, especially driving.
busybody: Interferes in others' affairs, not necessarily while watching an activity.