interfere

[ in-ter-feer ]

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·fered, in·ter·fer·ing.

1. to come into opposition, as one thing with another, especially with the effect of hampering action or procedure (often followed by with ):

   Constant distractions interfere with work.

2. to take part in the affairs of others; meddle (often followed by with or in ):

   to interfere in another's life.

   Synonyms: interlope, encroach, intrude, pry

3. (of things) to strike against each other, or one against another, so as to hamper or hinder action; come into physical collision.
4. to interpose or intervene for a particular purpose.

   Synonyms: intercede

5. to strike one foot or leg against another in moving, as a horse.
6. Sports.
   1. to obstruct the action of an opposing player in a way barred by the rules.
   2. Football. to run interference for a teammate carrying the ball.
7. Physics. to cause interference.
8. to clash; come in collision; be in opposition:

   The claims of two nations may interfere.

9. Law. to claim earlier invention when several patent requests for the same invention are being filed.

verb phrase

1. Chiefly British. to molest sexually.

interfere

/ ˌɪntəˈfɪə /

verb

1. often foll by in to interpose, esp meddlesomely or unwarrantedly; intervene
2. often foll by with to come between or in opposition; hinder; obstruct
3. euphemistic.
   foll by with to assault sexually
4. to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs
5. physics to cause or produce interference

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈferer, noun
• ˌinterˈferingly, adverb
• ˌinterˈfering, adjective

Other Words From

• inter·ferer noun
• inter·fering·ly adverb
• nonin·ter·fering adjective
• nonin·ter·fering·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere¹

First recorded in 1520–30; inter- + -fere (from Latin ferīre “to strike”); modeled on Middle French s'entreferir

Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere¹

C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferīre

Example Sentences

It was as if it would interfere with the largest particular work of her life, which happened to be me.

From The Daily Beast

However, it can interfere seriously with blood thinners and should never be taken with other antidepressant drugs.

From The Daily Beast

Another issue is that alcohol is a diuretic and being dehydrated will certainly interfere with your speed and endurance.

From The Daily Beast

These drugs interfere with the double helix zip-unzip-zip-again process of RNA and DNA replication.

From The Daily Beast

And go easy on fiber, which in large amounts can interfere with ovulation.

From The Daily Beast

He curved his hand round mine, and told me as long as I played right, his hand would not interfere with mine.

From Project Gutenberg

If it be a necessary, inevitable arrangement, I would not interfere with it for the world.

From Project Gutenberg

This automatic suitable bass device does not interfere with the normal use of the stop-keys of the pedal department by hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor will a court interfere because there have been irregularities in the proceedings, unless these were of a grave character.

From Project Gutenberg

He supported me consistently, permitting no one but himself to interfere with anything I thought it right to do.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• intervene
• intrude
• meddle
• prevent