What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
meddlesome
Example
She's always been meddlesome, sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. [meddlesome: adjective]
Example
He meddled in their relationship, causing more harm than good. [meddled: past tense verb]
officious
Example
The officious waiter kept interrupting our conversation to ask if we needed anything else. [officious: adjective]
Example
She was so officious in her approach that she ended up making things worse. [officiousness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Officious is less common than meddlesome in everyday language. Meddlesome is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while officious is more specific and often used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between meddlesome and officious?
Officious is typically associated with a more formal or professional tone, while meddlesome is more informal and casual in tone.
