interloper

[ in-ter-loh-per ]

noun

1. a person who interferes or meddles in the affairs of others:

   He was an atheist who felt like an interloper in this religious gathering.

2. an intruder; trespasser.
3. a person who intrudes into some region or field of trade without a proper license.

interloper

/ ˈɪntəˌləʊpə /

noun

1. an intruder
2. a person who introduces himself into professional or social circles where he does not belong
3. a person who interferes in matters that are not his concern
4. a person who trades unlawfully

Word History and Origins

Origin of interloper¹

First recorded in 1585–95; inter- + lope + -er ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of interloper¹

C17: from inter- + loper , from Middle Dutch loopen to leap

Example Sentences

At times, it felt like I was an interloper at a men’s support group.

From Los Angeles Times

The childhood he spoke of was being raised by his single mother and grandmother, both of whom were from Kansas, an unimpeachable locale for those who wished to paint him as an interloper.

From Los Angeles Times

As the manor devolves into something like “Lord of the Flies,” our hedonistic interloper uses this opening to become a usurper.

From Los Angeles Times

It was not an interloper from some faraway place.

From Los Angeles Times

Russell Tovey, most recently seen in “Feud,” plays a British interloper in this dystopian Norwegian drama.

From New York Times

Related Words

• intruder
• trespasser