interfere

American  

[in-ter-feer] / ˌɪn tərˈfɪər /

verb (used without object)

interfered, interfering

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

   Constant distractions interfere with work.

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

   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.

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verb phrase

1. interfere with to molest sexually.

interfere British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• interferer
  noun
• interfering
  adjective
• interferingly
  adverb
• noninterfering
  adjective
• noninterferingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of interfere

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

Explanation

To interfere is to try to stop something from happening. If you get into a fight on the street, people passing by might try to interfere so no one gets hurt. Many countries resent it when other countries interfere (get involved) in their internal affairs, just as people often dislike it when others interfere in their personal affairs. In this sense interfere is the opposite of minding one's business. On airplanes you're not allowed to use cellphones because, it's said, they interfere with the plane’s navigational systems.

Example Sentences

Interfere with the latter and you risk sacrificing the former, experts warn.

From Salon • May 19, 2025

Interfere with the magnetic field and the brain signals are disrupted.

From The Guardian • Jun. 1, 2012

Interfere with the imaginative process and conceptions of sympathy and maturity are slowed to a crawl.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Interfere at your peril!" thundered the doctor, and as he spoke the screw was turned once again.

From The Bradys After a Chinese Princess The Yellow Fiends of 'Frisco by Doughty, Francis Worcester

Interfere, in-tėr-fēr′, v.i. to come in collision: to intermeddle: to interpose: to act reciprocally—said of waves, rays of light, &c.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Related Words

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