meddle
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
-
(usually foll by with) to interfere officiously or annoyingly
-
(usually foll by in) to involve oneself unwarrantedly
to meddle in someone's private affairs
Other Word Forms
- meddler noun
- meddling adjective
- meddlingly adverb
- overmeddle verb (used without object)
- unmeddled adjective
Etymology
Origin of meddle
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English medlen, from Old French me(s)dler, variant of mesler “to mix,” from Vulgar Latin misculāre (unrecorded), frequentative of Latin miscēre
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
California and Oregon last year enacted similar laws to punish corporate investors that meddle in healthcare decisions at medical providers they own.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
It declared that the western hemisphere was America's sphere of interest – and warned European powers not to meddle or establish new colonies.
From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026
Public policy advocates and experts expressed concern about state lawmakers using their power to meddle with local housing projects, especially when carving out exemptions from laws they’ve imposed on everyone else in the state.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025
It’s actually quite problematic that some perversely rich guys meddle in our affairs in their own way.
From Slate • Nov. 19, 2025
Gentlemen like our good host still believe it's their business to meddle in matters they don't understand.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
