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verb

meddle

MEHD-uhl

Meddle (verb) means to interfere in matters that are not one's concern. Example: “Stop meddling in your sister's marriage.”

verb
1
To interfere in matters that are not one's concern.
"Stop meddling in your sister's marriage."
"The new manager kept meddling with a project he knew nothing about."

How to use meddle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo butt into other people's business uninvited.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "medal" (an award) — they sound different but are sometimes misspelled by learners.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
meddle in affairs meddle with don't meddle

Word forms

meddled past tense, meddles singular

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Etymology

From Anglo-Norman medler, from Late Latin misculāre, from Latin misceō ("to mix") — the sense narrowed from "to mix in" to "to interfere".

Origin: Late Latin

Related words

Rhymes for meddle

See all rhymes for meddle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “meddle” mean?

The word “meddle” means to interfere in matters that are not one's concern. In plain terms, to butt into other people's business uninvited.

How do you pronounce “meddle”?

“Meddle” is pronounced MEHD-uhl (/ˈmɛd.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “meddle” in a sentence?

Here is “meddle” used in a sentence: “Stop meddling in your sister's marriage.”

What part of speech is “meddle”?

“Meddle” is a verb.

Where does the word “meddle” come from?

The word “meddle” comes from Late Latin. From Anglo-Norman medler, from Late Latin misculāre, from Latin misceō ("to mix") — the sense narrowed from "to mix in" to "to interfere".

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