Pry
/praɪ/noun
To force open or inspect something, often with curiosity or persistence.
Did you know?Pry is probably from the same old root as probe and might ultimately trace back to a word for a pointed tool or thrusting action, which is why it feels so physically invasive.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“to strike, thrust, or drive through”
Latin
Latin
probare
“to test, try, prove”
Old French
Old French
pruier / proier
“to try, test; later influenced by senses of probing or pressing”
Middle English
English
prien
“to peer closely, inspect inquisitively”
Modern English
English
pry
“to inspect or force open with intrusive curiosity”
Explore more surprising origins