interloper

American  

[in-ter-loh-per] / ˈɪn tərˌloʊ pər /

noun

1. a person who interferes or meddles in the affairs of others.

   He was an atheist who felt like an interloper in this religious gathering.

2. an intruder; trespasser.

3. a person who intrudes into some region or field of trade without a proper license.

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interloper British  

/ ˈɪntəˌləʊpə /

noun

1. an intruder

2. a person who introduces himself into professional or social circles where he does not belong

3. a person who interferes in matters that are not his concern

4. a person who trades unlawfully

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Etymology

Origin of interloper

First recorded in 1585–95; inter- + lope + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

It wasn’t long ago that the thought of even a single interloper breaking into the ultraexclusive championship club seemed about as far-fetched as Nick Saban taking up stand-up comedy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Win or lose, streaming’s 900-pound gorilla will have thwarted or at least impeded a carefully laid attack by interloper David Ellison and his billionaire father, Larry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gillard and Slavin say they’ve heard from residents there may have been some altercation between the mom and the interloper that sent Hope off the nest and into the wires that night.

From Los Angeles Times

“Everyone who was there to buy wasn’t. It was hard to find someone I wanted to talk to. We were just kind of interlopers, walking around.”

From Literature

Gritty paddle surfaces and the influence of topspin-trained tennis interlopers has accelerated pace and rewarded hitters who put extra English on the ball.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• intruder
• trespasser