Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense interferes, present participle interfering, past tense, past participle interfered
1. verb
If you say that someone interferesin a situation, you mean they get involved in it although it does not concern them and their involvement is not wanted.
[disapproval]
I wish everyone would stop interfering and just leave me alone. [VERB]
The U.N. cannot interfere in the internal affairs of any country. [V + in/with]
Synonyms: meddle, intervene, intrude, butt in More Synonyms of interfere
2. verb
Something that interferes with a situation, activity, or process has a damaging effect on it.
Personal and family stresses will inevitably interfere with work at times. [VERBwith noun]
Alexander wasn't going to let a lack of space interfere with his plans. [VERBwith noun]
Smoking and drinking interfere with your body's ability to process oxygen. [VERB + with]
interfere in British English
(ˌɪntəˈfɪə)
verb(intransitive)
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. (foll by with) euphemistic
to assault sexually
4.
to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs
5. physics
to cause or produce interference
Derived forms
interferer (ˌinterˈferer)
noun
interfering (ˌinterˈfering)
adjective
interferingly (ˌinterˈferingly)
adverb
Word origin
C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre-inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferīre
interfere in American English
(ˌɪntərˈfɪr)
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˌinterˈfered or ˌinterˈfering
1.
to knock one foot or leg against the other
said of a horse
2.
to come into collision or opposition; clash; conflict
3.
a.
to come in or between for some purpose; intervene
b.
to meddle
4. Sport
to be guilty of interference
5. Patent
to claim priority for an invention, as when two or more applications for its patent are pending
6. Physics
to affect each other by interference
said of two waves or streams of vibration
7. Radio and Television Etc
to create interference in reception
Idioms:
interfere with
Derived forms
interferer (ˌinterˈferer)
noun
Word origin
OFr (s')entreferir, to strike (each other) < entre-, inter- + férir < L ferire, to strike < IE base *bher- > bore1
Examples of 'interfere' in a sentence
interfere
It also interferes with its ability to do its job.
The Sun (2011)
The light emitted from the screens may also interfere with the body clock.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The governing body interferes with the running of the school and undermines the work of senior teachers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Once we understand the mechanisms we can try to interfere with that process and stop it happening.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
An addiction is defined as an activity that interferes with normal life.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is because it is very difficult for politicians to get anything done and therefore limits their ability to interfere.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is worth knowing ahead of time if you have a health condition which might interfere with your ability to parent.
Martin, April The Guide to Lesbian and Gay Parenting (1993)
Especially if it isn't interfering with their ability to be a good employee.
The Sun (2014)
Smoking and drinking interfere with your body 's ability to process oxygen.
Mayes, Kathleen Beat Jet Lag - arrive alert and stay alert (1991)
It interferes with the ability to taste sweetness, which helps us lose the desire for sweet food.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is also possible that stress interferes with the body 's ability to rid itself of excess cholesterol.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Language is an amazing skill we all master in a few short years before our formal education process has interfered with our learning circuits.
O'Connor, Joseph & Seymour, John Training with N.L.P. (1994)
In the past it has refused to interfere in the country 's internal affairs but may be softening its position.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
For centuries different cultures have interfered with the process of birth, imposing cultural rituals which ignore the basic physiological needs of mother and newborn.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It interferes with the body 's metabolism, according to recent research.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It wasn't that their concern or desire stopped, but that something interfered withtheir ability to act on it.
Christianity Today (2000)
Get active - physical activity will help burn off stress chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol, which interfere with our body clock.
The Sun (2009)
But I had to make it my goal that dealing with house stuff didn't interfere with my ability to be a responsible singer.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
interfere
British English: interfere VERB
If you interfere, you get involved in a situation when other people do not want you to.
I wish everyone would stop interfering and just leave me alone.
American English: interfere
Brazilian Portuguese: interferir
Chinese: 干涉
European Spanish: interferir
French: s'en mêler
German: sich einmischen
Italian: interferire
Japanese: 干渉する
Korean: 간섭하다
European Portuguese: interferir
Latin American Spanish: interferir
Chinese translation of 'interfere'
interfere
(ɪntəˈfɪəʳ)
vi
(= meddle) (in situation, sb's affairs) 干涉 (gānshè)
(= disrupt) 妨碍(礙) (fáng'ài)
to interfere in sth干预(預)某事 (gānyù mǒushì)
to interfere with sth[plans, career, duty]妨碍(礙)某事 (fáng'ài mǒushì)
(verb)
Definition
to try to influence other people's affairs where one is not involved or wanted
Stop interfering and leave me alone!
Synonyms
meddle
Do scientists have a right to meddle in these matters?
intervene
The situation calmed down when police intervened.
intrude
He kept intruding with personal questions.
butt in
Nobody asked you to butt in.
get involved
tamper
pry
We do not want people prying into our affairs.
encroach
intercede
stick your nose in (informal)
stick your oar in (informal)
Keep out of this - nobody asked you to stick your oar in.
poke your nose in (informal)
intermeddle
put your two cents in (US, slang)
Phrasal verbs
See interfere with someone
See interfere with something or someone
Additional synonyms
in the sense of butt in
Definition
to intrude, esp. into a conversation
Nobody asked you to butt in.
Synonyms
interfere,
meddle,
intrude,
heckle,
barge in (informal),
stick your nose in,
put your oar in
in the sense of intervene
Definition
to involve oneself in a situation, esp. to prevent conflict