interfering

IPA/ˌɪntəˈfɪərɪŋ/
KK[ˌɪntɚfˈɪrɪŋ]IPA/ˌɪntərˈfɪrɪŋ/

interfering — adjective

  • interferingpositive
  • more interferingcomparative
  • most interferingsuperlative

1. describes someone who keeps joining other people's conversations or activities w

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes someone who keeps joining other people's conversations or activities without being asked, making those people feel annoyed because the involvement is not wanted

Example

Dylan's interfering neighbor kept watching him from behind the fence and asking personal questions.

attributive use: interfering neighbor / interfering relative

The shop's interfering manager would not let the staff make any decision on their own.

Common collocations
  • interfering neighbor
  • interfering relative
  • interfering parent
  • interfering colleague
Synonyms
  • nosy

    less formal, more common in everyday speech

  • meddlesome

    slightly more formal than 'interfering', same meaning

  • intrusive

    focuses on the unwanted entry into someone's space or privacy

Antonyms
  • respectful

    respectful people stay out of others' private matters

  • unobtrusive

    describes someone who does not draw attention or get involved

Grammar Patterns

interfering + noun

Usage Note

Typically used before a noun (attributive position). Describes a person's habitual character, not a one-time action.

Common Mistakes

My boss was interfering yesterday about my report.
My boss was interfering in my work yesterday.
'interfere' is a verb that requires a preposition ('in' or 'with') before its object. Use 'interfere in' for involvement in affairs or 'interfere with' for disruption.

interfering — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Interfere' (this sense) describes taking part in someone else's affairs without being asked, with a clear negative tone. 'Meddle' is more informal and implies the involvement is unnecessary and annoying — 'He's always meddling in office politics.' 'Intervene' is neutral or positive and suggests trying to stop a problem or help — 'The teacher intervened to stop the fight.' 'Intrude' focuses on entering someone's private space or conversation without permission — 'I didn't want to intrude on their private discussion.' 'Butt in' is a casual phrasal verb for interrupting a conversation or situation — 'She keeps butting in while I'm talking.' Use 'interfere' when the focus is on unwanted involvement in a situation; use 'meddle' for more casual, nagging interference.

meddle ↗intervene ↗intrude ↗butt in ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • interfere in someone's life
  • interfere with the process

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'inter-' (between) and 'ferire' (to strike), literally meaning 'to strike between'. The word entered English through French in the 16th century, originally with the physical meaning of objects striking each other. The sense of meddling in other people's affairs developed around the same time. The meaning of disrupting a process (sense 2 of the verb) became common in the 19th century with the rise of technology and systems.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2