officious
UK: əˈfɪʃəs | US: əˈfɪʃəs
adj. excessively eager to offer unsolicited help or advice; meddlesome
adj. (archaic) dutiful or obliging in an exaggerated or intrusive way
officious = offic<duty, service> + ious<adjective suffix>
- offic<duty, service>: From Latin officium (service, duty, office), combining opus (work) + facere (to do).
- ious<adjective suffix>: A suffix forming adjectives, often implying "full of" or "characterized by."
Etymology Origin:
The word officious originally meant "dutiful" in the 16th century, reflecting its Latin root officium (service). Over time, it acquired a negative connotation, shifting to describe someone overly eager to impose their help or authority—highlighting how societal perceptions of "duty" can skew toward intrusiveness.
The officious waiter kept interrupting our conversation to refill water glasses.
She dismissed his officious advice, preferring to solve the problem herself.
The manager’s officious manner made the employees feel micromanaged.
Despite his officious behavior, he meant well.
The officious clerk insisted on stamping every document twice.