kibitz

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitiveinformal

   To offer unwanted advice or comments, especially while watching a game or activity.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'on' or 'about': kibitz on someone's game.

   Patterns

   • kibitz on something
   • kibitz about something

   My uncle kept kibitzing while we played chess.

   Stop kibitzing and let me concentrate!

   She kibbitzed on every move I made.

2. 2verbintransitiveinformal

   To chat casually or make small talk.

   Grammar: No object; often used with 'with' or 'about'.

   Patterns

   • kibitz with someone
   • kibitz about something

   We spent the afternoon kibitzing about politics.

   They like to kibitz over coffee.

Word forms

Common combinations

kibitz on a game

He likes to kibitz on his friends' poker games.

kibitz about politics

They sat around kibitzing about politics.

kibitz with friends

She enjoys kibitzing with her neighbors.

Synonyms and how they differ

meddle

Meddle means to interfere in something that is not your business, often with negative results; kibitz is lighter and often playful.

chat

Chat means to talk informally; kibitz can mean this, but it often implies giving unwanted advice.

Word family

kibitzer noun

A person who kibitzes.

Commonly confused: kibitz or kibbutz?

Practice

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