Pry

Quick meaning: Pry is a verb meaning To peer closely and curiously, especially at something closed or not public.

Meaning

To peer closely and curiously, especially at something closed or not public.

More Meanings

1. To inquire into something that does not concern one; to be nosy; to snoop.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To peer at (something) closely; also, to look into (a matter, etc.) thoroughly.
3. An act of prying; a close and curious look.
4. A person who is very inquisitive or nosy; a busybody, a nosey parker.
5. (East Anglia, US) A tool for levering; a crowbar, a lever.
6. To use leverage to open, raise, or widen (something); to prise or prize.
7. (figuratively) Usually followed by out (of): to draw out or get (information, etc.) with effort.

Example Sentences

to pry into someone's affairs

I don't mean to pry, but could you tell me where you got that scarf?

[W]omen haue eagles eyes, / To prie euen to the heart, and why not you?

Watch thou, and wake when others be aſleepe, / To prie into the ſecrets of the State, […]

Word Forms

• prying

Synonyms for pry

Depending on context, synonyms include prying, prise, prize, prybar, quarry, wring.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include prise, prize, poke, crowbar, lever, nose.

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