kibitzer

noun

ki·bitz·er ˈki-bət-sər How to pronounce kibitzer (audio)

kə-ˈbit-

variants or less commonly kibbitzer

: one who looks on and often offers unwanted advice or comment

a kibitzer at a card game

broadly : one who offers opinions

Did you know?

The Yiddish language has given English some particularly piquant terms over the years, and kibitzer (or kibbitzer) is one such term. Kibitzer, from the Yiddish kibitser, came to that language from the German word kiebitzen, meaning "to look on (at cards)." Kiebitzen may or may not be derived from a German word for "lapwing," a type of bird noted for its shrill and raucous cry. (We can speculate that the bird's cry reminded people of the shrill commentary of onlookers at card games.) The word became more popular and widespread after the 1929 play The Kibitzer came out. Although kibitzer usually implies the imparting of unwanted advice, there is a respectable body of evidence for a kibitzer as a person simply making comments.

Example Sentences

a nosy kibitzer who always knows who is dating whom

Recent Examples on the Web The problem is partly a failure to appreciate that the Radicals were kibitzers, as many legislators are.

Andrew Ferguson, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2020 Most Americans by now have probably figured out the kibitzer-in-chief’s tweets lack the force of policy, much less the force of law.

Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 12 Mar. 2019 They were intently focused, paying no attention to the parade of gym-goers, game-players and kibitzers noisily passing by.

Patricia Sullivan, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2018 Ms. Paulson makes her a flawed but tragic heroine: a divorced mom, strapped for child care, battling a legal hydra made of money while the tabloids pick at her hairstyle and kibitzers tell her to smile more.

James Poniewozik, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2016 Though all of Mr. Nelson’s Rhinebeck plays have featured strong female characters, in this one, he more or less turns the stage over to them entirely (though Mr. Sanders, wonderful as always, is a gallant kibitzer).

Ben Brantley, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2016

单词	kibitzer
释义	kibitzer noun ki·bitz·er ˈki-bət-sər kə-ˈbit- variants or less commonly kibbitzer : one who looks on and often offers unwanted advice or comment a kibitzer at a card game broadly : one who offers opinions Did you know? The Yiddish language has given English some particularly piquant terms over the years, and kibitzer (or kibbitzer) is one such term. Kibitzer, from the Yiddish kibitser, came to that language from the German word kiebitzen, meaning "to look on (at cards)." Kiebitzen may or may not be derived from a German word for "lapwing," a type of bird noted for its shrill and raucous cry. (We can speculate that the bird's cry reminded people of the shrill commentary of onlookers at card games.) The word became more popular and widespread after the 1929 play The Kibitzer came out. Although kibitzer usually implies the imparting of unwanted advice, there is a respectable body of evidence for a kibitzer as a person simply making comments. Synonyms busybody buttinsky buttinski interferer interloper intermeddler intruder meddler nosey parker [chiefly British] See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a nosy kibitzer who always knows who is dating whom Recent Examples on the Web The problem is partly a failure to appreciate that the Radicals were kibitzers, as many legislators are. Andrew Ferguson, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2020 Most Americans by now have probably figured out the kibitzer-in-chief’s tweets lack the force of policy, much less the force of law. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 12 Mar. 2019 They were intently focused, paying no attention to the parade of gym-goers, game-players and kibitzers noisily passing by. Patricia Sullivan, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2018 Ms. Paulson makes her a flawed but tragic heroine: a divorced mom, strapped for child care, battling a legal hydra made of money while the tabloids pick at her hairstyle and kibitzers tell her to smile more. James Poniewozik, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2016 Though all of Mr. Nelson’s Rhinebeck plays have featured strong female characters, in this one, he more or less turns the stage over to them entirely (though Mr. Sanders, wonderful as always, is a gallant kibitzer). Ben Brantley, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2016 Word History Etymology borrowed from Yiddish kibetser, from kibetsn "to kibitz" + -er -er entry 2 First Known Use 1922, in the meaning defined above kibitzer noun variants also kibbitzer as in intruder a person who meddles in the affairs of others a nosy kibitzer who always knows who is dating whom Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance intruder meddler gossiper buttinsky interloper spy busybody buttinski gossip nosey parker interferer snoop snake intermeddler gazer quidnunc informer peeper gawker rubbernecker sneak teller revealer rubberneck tattler informant gaper snooper blabber prier squealer tattletale discloser betrayer pryer prattler stool pigeon gawper talebearer telltale snitcher peeping Tom
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kibitzer

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun