officious

[ uh-fish-uhs ]

adjective

1. objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome:

   My brother-in-law is so officious that he can be unbearable.

   Antonyms: retiring

2. marked by or proceeding from such forwardness:

   officious interference.

3. Obsolete. ready to serve; obliging.

officious

/ əˈfɪʃəs /

adjective

1. unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services
2. marked by such readiness
3. diplomacy informal or unofficial
4. obsolete.
   attentive or obliging

Confusables Note

The noun official refers to someone with a certain degree of authority because they were elected or appointed to a position of responsibility within a government, organization, etc. There are White House officials, corporate officials, school board officials, sports officials—the list is seemingly endless. Just keep in mind that the noun official is rather generic and is not used to identify a specific ranking of position or authority as are such titles as president, CEO, treasurer, referee, etc., all of whom could be referred to as officials. Official can also be an adjective, and that’s when it’s sometimes confused with officious (which is always an adjective). Like many commonly misunderstood words, officious simply looks and sounds as if it could be a synonym for the word it’s confused with—in this case, official. Given the meaning of official as a noun, it’s not surprising that its adjective senses relate to authority or authorization—for example, “relating to a position of authority” ( the official sovereignty of the queen ); “issued authoritatively” ( waiting for official instructions ); “authorized to act in a designated capacity” ( the project’s official spokesperson ). Could the adjective officious be that much different? Well, to borrow one of the preceding examples, if you were “waiting for official instructions,” the last thing you’d want is for someone to show up and give you “ officious instructions.” Why? Because officious people rarely have any official authority whatsoever. In fact, what makes them officious is their inclination to be meddlesome and interfering in a self-appointed sort of way. Officious people deliver unsolicited advice, direction, and services regardless of what may or may not be appropriate, and especially without regard for the wishes of those on the receiving end of their “assistance.” So, if someone shows up to give you officious instructions, by all means wait for the official instructions instead!

Derived Forms

• ofˈficiousness, noun
• ofˈficiously, adverb

Other Words From

• of·ficious·ly adverb
• of·ficious·ness noun
• over·of·ficious adjective
• over·of·ficious·ly adverb
• over·of·ficious·ness noun
• super·of·ficious adjective
• super·of·ficious·ly adverb
• super·of·ficious·ness noun
• unof·ficious adjective
• unof·ficious·ly adverb
• unof·ficious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of officious¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin officiōsus “obliging, dutiful,” equivalent to offici(um) “service, duty” + -ōsus adjective suffix; office, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of officious¹

C16: from Latin officiōsus kindly, from officium service; see office

Example Sentences

This will minimize your contact with the person in question and, as an added bonus, annoy her as being bureaucratic and officious.

From Washington Post

Catton never shows, she tells, wagging on in the most officious way.

From The Daily Beast

His likely successor, Ayman al-Zawahri, is cold, plodding, and officious.

From The Daily Beast

The officious friend joined the family too, and he held up his hands in horror when he heard of it.

From Project Gutenberg

But she made herself so intensely and disagreeably officious that his patience was sorely tried.

From Project Gutenberg

The report was merely the outcome of the officious meddling of his physician, Addington, and one of Bute's friends.

From Project Gutenberg

It had been moved by officious servants; doubtless the contents had been put in the wardrobe.

From Project Gutenberg

With my officious informant, I had every inclination to pick a quarrel.

From Project Gutenberg