interfere

verb

in-tur-FEER/ˌɪn.tɚˈfɪɚ/UKin-tuh-FEER/ˌɪn.təˈfɪə(ɹ)/

Formsinterferes, interfering, interfered

4 meanings of interfere

1
verbintransitive
To get involved in something that is not your business and cause problems.
Like pushing your way into a game when no one asked you to play.
Please don't interfere when the teachers are talking.
She kept interfering in her sister's plans.
Similarmeddle, intervene, intrude, tamper
Note
2
verbintransitive
A soft or indirect way of saying to sexually abuse someone, especially a child.
He was sent to prison for interfering with a child.
The court found that he had tried to interfere with a young girl.
Similarmolest, abuse
Note
3
verbintransitive
When two waves meet and overlap, to combine so they grow stronger or cancel out.
Like two sets of water ripples meeting, in some places they make a bigger wave, in others they flatten out.
Light waves can interfere to make bright and dark bands.
When the two ripples interfere, the water rises higher in some spots.
Note
4
verbintransitive
When moving, to hit one foot against the other foot or ankle.
Like accidentally clipping your own ankle when you walk too fast.
Some horses interfere when they get tired and trip themselves.
The pony began to interfere after the long ride.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old French entreferir, made from entre- ('between') and ferir ('to hit, to strike'), which came from the Latin verb ferio.