interfere

[ in-ter-feer ]

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·fered, in·ter·fer·ing.

1. to come into opposition, as one thing with another, especially with the effect of hampering action or procedure (often followed by with ):

   Constant distractions interfere with work.

2. to take part in the affairs of others; meddle (often followed by with or in ):

   to interfere in another's life.

   Synonyms: interlope, encroach, intrude, pry

3. (of things) to strike against each other, or one against another, so as to hamper or hinder action; come into physical collision.
4. to interpose or intervene for a particular purpose.

   Synonyms: intercede

5. to strike one foot or leg against another in moving, as a horse.
6. Sports.
   1. to obstruct the action of an opposing player in a way barred by the rules.
   2. Football. to run interference for a teammate carrying the ball.
7. Physics. to cause interference.
8. to clash; come in collision; be in opposition:

   The claims of two nations may interfere.

9. Law. to claim earlier invention when several patent requests for the same invention are being filed.

verb phrase

1. Chiefly British. to molest sexually.

interfere

/ ˌɪntəˈfɪə /

verb

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. euphemistic.
   foll by with to assault sexually
4. to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs
5. physics to cause or produce interference

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈferer, noun
• ˌinterˈferingly, adverb
• ˌinterˈfering, adjective

Other Words From

• inter·ferer noun
• inter·fering·ly adverb
• nonin·ter·fering adjective
• nonin·ter·fering·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere¹

First recorded in 1520–30; inter- + -fere (from Latin ferīre “to strike”); modeled on Middle French s'entreferir

Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere¹

C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferīre

Example Sentences

Former prisoners have recounted being assigned work that they didn’t want or that interfered with classes or drug and alcohol treatment programs they wanted to take.

From Los Angeles Times

Firstly, water vapor interferes and overlaps with the absorption spectra of many gases in the standard infrared ranges normally used for detection.

From Science Daily

Mice which had been placed in an acutely stressful, controlled experience exhibited defensive behavior regardless of which sound was played to them, suggesting that the stressful experience interfered with their ability to form specific memories.

From Science Daily

In an international study led by Goethe University, researchers have now identified a mechanism that interferes with the splicing process in a more subtle way.

From Science Daily

Choosing to consume substances even when they interfere with fulfilling responsibilities is one of the signs of substance use disorder, identified by the American Psychiatric Association.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• intervene
• intrude
• meddle
• prevent