busy

Examples

• All

• Stop being busy about other people's relationships; focus on your own life instead.

• She's so busy meddling in her friends' affairs that they sometimes feel suffocated.

• They were being spiteful and were busy causing trouble for people in the church.

  Blog text (5)

• I'd forgotten what a rotten busy-body Michelle was.

  Dark Places (2015)

• He says they are not being busy about God's work but are busy being busybodies.

  Blog text (5)

• "Some, in the garb of religious training, are busy fanning sectarian violence, poisoning people's minds.

  Academic text (2000)

• He's always busy interfering in my decisions, thinking he knows what's best for me.

Synonyms

N

nosy

vsbusy

• Offensive

60 3.4

Too interested in other people's private life in an annoying way

is more about active interference rather than mere prying curiosity

I

intrusive

vsbusy

52 6.1

Entering where you are not wanted and disturbing someone's privacy

applies specifically to unwanted involvement in others' affairs rather than general disturbance

O

overzealous

vsbusy

32 7.7

Being too eager and causing problems

is specifically about unwanted interference rather than general overenthusiasm

N

nosey

vsbusy

• UK

8 5.5

Showing too much interest in other people's private lives

is broader, stressing active unwanted involvement rather than only curiosity

M

meddlesome

vsbusy

8 7.2

Tending to get involved in other people's business and annoy them

is a broader term highlighting intrusion rather than just annoying behaviour

O

officious

vsbusy

5 8.6

Too ready to give help or advice when people do not want it

describes unwanted involvement more broadly, not only eager offering of help

S

snoopy

vsbusy

1 8.4

A person who is too interested in other people's private lives

implies unwanted involvement and disturbance beyond simple spying or curiosity

M

meddling

vsbusy

5.0

Being involved in other people's matters when not wanted

is the general label for this unwanted involvement in other people's affairs

B

busy-bodied

vsbusy

• Offensive

8.4

A person who tries to find out or change other people's private lives

is the wider description of intrusive behaviour beyond the officious tone

I

interfering

vsbusy

5.7

A person who tries to control other people's lives

focuses more on unwanted intrusion and general meddling rather than influence alone

Antonyms

U

unobtrusive

8 6.7

Not attracting attention or standing out to others

R

reserved

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

Idioms

B

busy as a bee

• Informal

1 3.4

Working very hard all the time

B

busy little beaver

• Informal

1 6.2

A very active person who works hard and gets many things done

Compounds

B

busy bee

• Informal

3 2.9

A person who always works hard and stays active

How Meddlesome

nosy

• Offensive

60 3.4

busy

• Offensive

9 7.5

discreet

115 5.8

uninvolved

5 4.5

Surface Forms

Etymology