officious
Group 26Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Asserting authority or interfering in a domineering way, especially regarding trivial matters GRE
Example in Context
The officious security guard insisted on checking every bag twice, creating an unnecessary bottleneck at the building's entrance.
Synonyms
nosymeddlingpushy
Etymology
From Latin for duty, often referring to meddling in others' affairs.
- officium (Latin) — duty
Memory Aid
🏢Sounds like “office us”
Imagine your OFFICE boss who insists on critiquing your lunch choices — he’s OFFICIOUS!
Visual Association
🕵️♂️A nosy coworker peering over your shoulder, trying to dictate every aspect of your workday.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “officious” mean on the GRE?
officious (adjective) means “Asserting authority or interfering in a domineering way, especially regarding trivial matters”. The officious security guard insisted on checking every bag twice, creating an unnecessary bottleneck at the building's entrance.
How to remember “officious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “officious” sounds like “office us”. Imagine your OFFICE boss who insists on critiquing your lunch choices — he’s OFFICIOUS!
What are synonyms for “officious”?
Common synonyms: nosy, meddling, pushy.