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

A Marcos spokeswoman said Tuesday the president would "not interfere in the decisions of the Senate".

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Candidate selections at constituency level have to be ratified by Burrows, but the BBC has been told he will not interfere.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Such an entity wouldn’t interfere with existing U.S. investment-screening entities, such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., the official added.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

And while researchers say increased attention to fiber can bring benefits, they warn about snacks whose other ingredients might interfere with fiber’s effects.

From MarketWatch • May 10, 2026

In New York, Root assured the architects again and again that he would do nothing to interfere with their designs.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

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