interloper

[in-ter-loh-per]

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.

interloper

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of interloper¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of interloper¹

C17: from _inter- + loper , from Middle Dutch loopen to leap

Example Sentences

In the comics Kang and Franklin are part of the same family tree so it’s easy to imagine him as the surprise interloper Sue sees.

From Los Angeles Times

And she’s aware that her enmeshment with Quintana is compounded by a relationship with Dunne that left their daughter feeling like an interloper.

From Salon

But there is something in the air that even an outsider could feel at the rehearsal, which was open to donors and press interlopers.

From Los Angeles Times

This will be the first opportunity for senators — Democrats and Republicans — to get answers on the record about DOGE’s activities at Social Security, as well as commitments to protect the program from partisan interlopers.

From Los Angeles Times

In “Presence,” we’re rarely allowed to forget that we are an interloper in the lives of a family as they slowly unspool.

From Salon

Related Words

• intruder www.thesaurus.com
• trespasser www.thesaurus.com