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Definition of nosy

nosy

/ˈnoʊ.zi/
(UK: nosey)
no · sy
Adverb:nosily
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nosy Lexical Profile

nosy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Showing too much curiosity about other people's private affairs; prying or intrusive.

Example

"She drew the living room curtains to keep the nosy neighbors from peering inside."

2

Having a prominent or large nose, or having a strong, distinctive aroma (especially of wine or tea).

Example

"The sommelier described the vintage as a bold, nosy red with notes of cedar and dark cherry."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for nosy

• Nearby Words

nostalgic
nostalgically
nostril
nosy
not
notability
notable

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 17th century meaning 'having a large nose', the sense of 'prying' or 'overly curious' emerged in the late 19th century from the figurative idea of poking one's nose into someone else's business.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nosy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nosy
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