unofficiousadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnəˈfɪʃəs/, U.S. /ˌənəˈfɪʃəs/ Not officious (in various senses). In later use esp.: disinclined to intervene; unobtrusive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [adjective] > indiligent or remiss
nesheOE
slackc897
undreigha1350
dissolutea1382
defaultyc1390
defaultive1398
remissivec1487
remissa1500
slakea1538
undiligent1564
unindustrious1599
discinct1604
unofficious1611
inindustriousa1631
indiligent1633
lax1812
remissful1836
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adjective] > ineffective
deadc1380
virtuelessa1393
uneffectuous1549
inefficace1570
limping1577
unprevailing1604
inficient1609
weak1609
unofficious1611
penny farthing1615
invalidable1634
invalid1635
unprevalent1640
ineffectible1650
ineffective1651
inefficacious1658
insignificant1661
uneffective1670
popgun1690
foible1715
unefficacious1744
inefficient1750
ineffectual1785
effete1790
foisonlessc1817
puttering1857
non-effective1862
non-efficient1863
shaftless1881
powder puff1911
fouled-up1942
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > [adjective] > from interference
unmeddling1614
uninterposing1749
unofficious1807
to let alone1826
non-interfering1840
unmeddlesome1852
hands off1860
light-handed1862
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Inficioso, vnofficious, negligent.
1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 81 Thus all occasions..are not unofficious to administer somthing which may conduce to explain..the assertion of this book.
1786 H. Lee Errors of Innocence III. lxxxii. 112 The equal, but unofficious tenderness of Mr. Nugent.
1807 Ann. Rev. 5 171 The editor..deserves public thanks for the unostentatious, unofficious propriety, with which his laudable task is performed.
1922 Petroleum Age 15 Mar. 66/3 To help the coastal operators solve their problems profitably and in an unofficious manner.
2002 T. Palmer Pacific High vii. 169 He was a friendly, unofficious kind of guy.
Derivatives
unoˈfficiousness n. [after officiousness n.] rare
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > [noun] > lack of due respect
unofficiousness1611
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Inofficiosité, vnofficiousnesse, vnrespectiuenesse, or want of due respect.
1822 Philadelphia Jrnl. Med. & Physical Sci. 4 56 Should the olfactory organ be censured for this unofficiousness?
1986 Loyola of Los Angeles Law Rev. 19 984 The City had an oral contract..which satisfies both the unofficiousness and intent to charge requirements of section 115.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1611