Dictionary.com

interfere

[ in-ter-feer ]
/ ˌɪn tərˈfɪər /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: interfere / interfering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), in·ter·fered, in·ter·fer·ing.
Verb Phrases
interfere with, Chiefly British. to molest sexually.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of interfere

1520–30; inter- + -fere<Latin ferīre to strike; modeled on Middle French s'entreferir

OTHER WORDS FROM interfere

in·ter·fer·er, nounin·ter·fer·ing·ly, adverbnon·in·ter·fer·ing, adjectivenon·in·ter·fer·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use interfere in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for interfere

interfere
/ (ˌɪntəˈfɪə) /

verb (intr)
(often foll by in) to interpose, esp meddlesomely or unwarrantedly; intervene
(often foll by with) to come between or in opposition; hinder; obstruct
(foll by with) euphemistic to assault sexually
to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs
physics to cause or produce interference

Derived forms of interfere

interferer, nouninterfering, adjectiveinterferingly, adverb

Word Origin for interfere

C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferīre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK