Definition Synonyms
Definition of prying - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
social mannerstoo curious and intrusive about other people’s private matters
- Her prying questions made everyone uncomfortable at dinner.
Noun
snoopingoffensive curiosity about other people's private matters
- His prying made everyone uncomfortable at the party.
Expressions with prying
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in a way that avoids being seen by others
They hid the documents from prying eyes.
Origin of prying
Middle English, prien (to peer)
Terms with prying included in their meaning
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prying
overly curious about other people's affairs
prying
pry open using a metal lever
prying person
person who pries into others' private matters
tools
metal tool for prying open objects
investigation
engaging in secretive investigation or prying
behavior
characterized by inquisitive or prying behavior
prying
investigate in an interfering manner
prying tool
tool used to pry or move heavy objects
prying
overly interested in others' private matters
tools
tool used for prying or lifting
curiosity
having a prying or offensively curious manner
tool
short steel crowbar used for prying
prying
act of looking into others' affairs
prying tool
heavy iron tool for prying, with forked or wedge end
Examples of prying in a sentence
He found his colleague’s prying attitude hard to ignore. Her constant prying upset the neighbors. No tolerance for prying was enforced at the shelter.
View all translations of prying
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:indiscret, indiscrétion, ...
- German:indiskret, Schnüffelei, ...
- Italian:invadente, pignoleria, ...
- Spanish:entrometido, fisgoneo, ...
- Portuguese:indiscreto, bisbilhotice, ...
- Chinese:爱打听的, 窥探, ...
- Japanese:詮索好きな, 詮索, ...
- Arabic:فُضُولِيّ, تَطَفُّل, ...
- Hebrew:חַטְטָנִי, חַטְטָנוּת, ...
- Russian:назойливый, подглядывание, ...
- Ukrainian:надокучливий, заздрісне цікавлення, ...
- Hindi:दखलअंदाज़, जासूसी, ...
Definition of pry - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
toolstr./intr. US use leverage to open or move somethingtr./intr. US
- He used a tool to pry the lid open.
2.
intrudeintr. US inquire too closely into a person's private affairsintr. US
- He didn't like to pry into his friend's personal life..
3.
curious lookintr. US look closely and curiously at somethingintr. US
- She tried to pry into the dark room.
Noun
1.
lever toolUS tool used for levering or liftingUS
- He used a pry to open the crate.
2.
curious lookUS act of looking closely and curiouslyUS
- He took a pry through the keyhole.
Images of pry
tool used for levering or lifting
Expressions with pry
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
look for private information in a nosy way
He likes to pry around in other people's business.
investigate into private matters without permission
She tends to pry into her neighbors' personal lives.
remove something from a tight place using force
He tried to pry the nail out of the wood.
sturdy metal lever with a tapered end for forcing things apart
He used a pry bar to lift the nailed board from the floor.
Origin of pry
Old Norse, prýja (to adorn)
Examples of pry in a sentence
They tried to pry the old nails out of the wood. She tried not to pry into her colleague's business. Reporters often pry into the lives of celebrities. He tried to pry into her personal life. They pried into the old attic for hidden treasures. The mechanic grabbed a pry to lift the car hood.
A pry was essential for removing the old floorboards. She gave a quick pry into the box. His pry into her diary was unwelcome.
View all translations of pry
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:faire levier, levier, ...
- German:aufhebeln, Brecheisen, ...
- Italian:fare leva, leva, ...
- Spanish:hacer palanca, palanca, ...
- Portuguese:forçar, pé de cabra, ...
- Chinese:撬开, 撬棍, ...
- Japanese:こじ開ける, てこ, ...
- Arabic:نَزَعَ, عَتَلَة, ...
- Hebrew:לְחַלֵּץ, לוֹם, ...
- Russian:вскрывать, лом, ...
- Ukrainian:відкривати, лом, ...
- Hindi:उचकाकर खोलना, प्राइ, ...
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