interfere

The word “interfere” means to get involved in something in a way that disrupts or is unwelcome. In plain terms, to get in the way of something or meddle where you're not wanted; in physics, to describe waves overlapping and affecting each other.

“Interfere” is pronounced ihn-tuh-FEER (/ˌɪn.tɚˈfɪɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “interfere” used in a sentence: “Please don't interfere with the investigation.”

“Interfere” is a verb.

The word “interfere” comes from Old French. From Old French entreferir, from entre- ("between") plus ferir ("to strike").

“Interfere” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Interfere” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get involved in something in a way that disrupts or is unwelcome.

To interfere means to get involved in something in a disruptive or unwelcome way, and it carries a negative tone. To intervene means to become involved in a situation in order to help or change its outcome, and it is often neutral or positive. In short, interfering is usually unwanted, while intervening is often meant to help.

You "interfere in" a matter, situation, or affair, as in "don't interfere in their argument," while you "interfere with" an object or process that you disrupt, as in "noise interferes with concentration." Broadly, "interfere in" is about meddling in affairs, and "interfere with" is about disrupting how something works.

To interrupt means to break the continuity of something, such as stopping a speaker mid-sentence or pausing an event. To interfere means to get involved in a disruptive or unwelcome way. You can interfere without interrupting, and an interruption is usually a brief break rather than ongoing meddling.