adjective
officious
uh-FISH-uhs/əˈfɪʃəs/
Too eager to offer unwanted help or tell others what to do.
The officious coworker rearranges supplies despite the man's clear wish to be left alone.
Etymology
Being full of service once suggested being dutiful and eager to help. The meaning turned negative when that eagerness became doing more than was asked or required.
In context
be careful however not to be too attentive as you then become officious and embarrass when you mean to please
More examples
- The officious clerk insists on filling out the form for me.
- She finds his constant reminders officious rather than helpful.
- An officious guest starts assigning seats at someone else's dinner party.
Forms
officious · more officious · most officious
officiously adverb — In an intrusively helpful or bossy way.
officiousness noun — Excessive eagerness to help or direct others.
Similar words
- meddlesome
- Emphasizes interfering in matters that are not one's business.
- bossy
- Emphasizes giving orders rather than offering intrusive help.
- overbearing
- Emphasizes dominating others through an unpleasantly forceful manner.