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Antonyms for officious

Grammar : Adj
Spell : uh-fish-uhs
Phonetic Transcription : əˈfɪʃ əs

Definition of officious

Origin :
  • 1560s, "zealous, eager to serve," from Latin officiosus "full of courtesy, dutiful, obliging," from officium "duty, service" (see office). Sense of "meddlesome, doing more than is asked or required" had emerged by 1600 (in officiously). An officious lie (1570s) is one told to do good to another person (from Latin mendocium officiosum or French mensonge officieux). Related: Officiousness.
  • adj self-important, dictatorial
Example sentences :
  • Officious kindness, which often soothes the agonies of death, was denied her.
  • Extract from : « Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I » by Francis Augustus Cox
  • (searching about with officious haste) If it's above ground, I'll find it.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • She was even pleased with their officious and friendly-seeming demeanour.
  • Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin
  • “You are officious and impertinent,” said I, white with ire.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • I could have kicked Bayliss for his officious explanation of kinship.
  • Extract from : « Kent Knowles: Quahaug » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • "You are not bound to say anything," said the cobbler in officious excitement.
  • Extract from : « The Innocence of Father Brown » by G. K. Chesterton
  • “To tell you who she is, my dear Mrs. Blower, is very easy,” said the officious Doctor.
  • Extract from : « St. Ronan's Well » by Sir Walter Scott
  • This officious protection was at once an insult and a snare.
  • Extract from : « The History of England from the Accession of James II. » by Thomas Babington Macaulay
  • I should be very glad to, if you will not think me officious to say so.
  • Extract from : « Captain Desmond, V.C. » by Maud Diver
  • The cry for Señor Goodwin was taken up by a dozen officious voices.
  • Extract from : « Cabbages and Kings » by O. Henry

Synonyms for officious

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019