pry

¹

[ prahy ]

verb (used without object)

, pried, pry·ing.

1. to inquire impertinently or unnecessarily into something:

   to pry into the personal affairs of others.

2. to look closely or curiously; peer; peep.

noun

, plural pries.

1. an impertinently inquisitive person.
2. an act of prying.

pry

²

[ prahy ]

verb (used with object)

, pried, pry·ing.

1. to move, raise, or open by leverage.
2. to get, separate, or ferret out with difficulty:

   to pry a secret out of someone;

   We finally pried them away from the TV.

noun

, plural pries.

1. a tool, as a crowbar, for raising, moving, or opening something by leverage.
2. the leverage exerted.

pry

¹

/ praɪ /

verb

1. introften foll byinto to make an impertinent or uninvited inquiry (about a private matter, topic, etc)

noun

1. the act of prying
2. a person who pries

pry

²

/ praɪ /

verb

1. to force open by levering
2. to extract or obtain with difficulty

   they had to pry the news out of him

Word History and Origins

Origin of pry¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English prien, “look about, peep”; further origin unknown

Origin of pry²

First recorded in 1800–10; back formation from prize ³, taken as a plural noun or 3rd person singular verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pry¹

C14: of unknown origin

Origin of pry²

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Despite some prying, he is coy about his character’s place in the narrative and instead stresses how much time has passed between the films.

From Los Angeles Times

The shifting balance of power between these aesthetic worldviews encapsulates the story of what happened when Japan was pried open to Western influences.

From Los Angeles Times

Austin Capobianco, the Yankees fan who grabbed Betts’ glove and pried the ball out of it, told The Times, “I’m a way too passionate fan that probably crossed the line.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yankee fans who grabbed Mookie Betts’ wrist while trying to pry the ball out of his glove have been banned from Game 5 of the World Series, the Yankees announced.

From Los Angeles Times

“Obviously, it’s awful what happened to them. But also: You put yourself in this position by prying into my life.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• extract
• pull
• wrest