pry

Meaning

Verb

1. (intransitive) To peer closely and curiously, especially at something closed or not public.
2. (figuratively, intransitive) To inquire into something that does not concern one; to be nosy; to snoop.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To peer at (something) closely; also, to look into (a matter, etc.) thoroughly.

Noun

1. An act of prying; a close and curious look.
2. A person who is very inquisitive or nosy; a busybody, a nosey parker.

Noun

A tool for levering; a crowbar, a lever.

Synonyms

prize

lever

prise

lift

snoop

nose

👃

peep

crowbar

poke

jimmy

intrude

pry bar

wrecking bar

horn in

examine

investigate

find out

meddle

worm out

pry open

peer

be curious

ferret

force open

spy on

watch

⌚

jemmy

elicit

consider

jim crow

intervene

interfere

distract

inquire

heaver

dig

cleave

ambush

heave

open door

go over

detach

open

peek

peel off

nose out

glimpse

pluck

move

force

Translations

fisgar

fureter

kaldıraç

bisbilhotar

gözetlemek

pied-de-biche

fouiller

s’immiscer

hefboom

forçar

xeretar

tafanejar

gözetleme

tecessüs

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɹaɪ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: prien

Inherited from Old English: *prīwan

Cognate with Old English: beprīwan

Cognate with Old English: *prēowot

In summary

The verb is inherited from Middle English prien, pryen (“to look closely, peer into, pry, spy”) [and other forms], from Old English *prīwan, *prēowian (“to look narrowly, to squint at”), attested by Old English beprīwan, beprēwan (“to wink”); further etymology unknown, but probably akin to Old English *prēowot (“closing of the eyes”), attested only in combination – compare prēowthwīl (“blink or twinkling of an eye, moment”), princ (“a wink”): see prink.
The noun is derived from the verb.

Sentences

Marge and Lisa try to pry them apart .