nosy
/ˈnəʊzi
/(also nosey) informal
adjective (nosier, nosiest)
Showing too much curiosity about other people’s affairs: nosy neighbours stop being so nosy!...
- By now some of the more nosey neighbors were peering out of their doors with curiosity.
- As if the nosy neighbours hadn't been curious enough, Brian definitely made an entrance nobody would forget.
- They've just moved there, but nosy neighbours begin to wonder about precisely where her father is, seeing as no one's laid eyes on him for months.
Synonyms
prying, inquisitive, curious, busybody, probing, spying, eavesdropping, intrusive
informal snooping, snoopy
Scottish & Northern English nebby
verb (nosies, nosying or noseying, nosied) [no object, with adverbial]
Pry into something: they don’t nosy into your business like some people...
- We're nosying around a suite at London's Charlotte Street Hotel while the photographer sets up.
- Mind you, I'm always noseying at books and coveting.
- But I also just adore noseying at other people's snapshots.
Derivatives
nosily
/ adverb ...- She flashed it at the conductor briefly, and then stopped as she noticed a slip of paper sticking out of the back - she unfolded it, and I peered nosily to the right to catch a glimpse.
- ‘Lacey Green’, I smiled nicely and peered inside their apartment nosily.
- I fidgeted as some passers-by glanced at me nosily.
nosiness
/ noun ...- He was attracting quite a bit of attention on the first day - pure curiosity and nosiness.
- His inherent nosiness, his interest in people, made him a great reporter.
- With all of David's prodding, Selina found herself slipping up and mistaking his nosiness for actual interest in her, though he said otherwise.