adj
meddlesome
MEH-duhl-suhm
Meddlesome (adj) means Inclined to interfere in other people's business. Example: “Her meddlesome neighbor always had an opinion about her garden.”
adj
1
Inclined to interfere in other people's business.
"If those meddlesome kids hadn't turned me in, I'd have gotten away with my nefarious scheme!"
"As this was well before the meddlesome days in which we now live, can Mr. Cox explain why this plan was never carried out?"
— Cecil J. Allen, British Locomotive Practice and Performance (1953)
"Her meddlesome neighbor always had an opinion about her garden."
"He resented his meddlesome in-laws showing up unannounced."
"The help tended to be officious, the rules, if heeded, restrictive, and the management meddlesome."
— Joseph Heller, The Soldier in White (1961)
How to use meddlesome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone who habitually interferes in things that aren't their business.
Common pairings
meddlesome relative
meddlesome interference
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like meddlesome.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more meddlesome
- Superlative
- most meddlesome
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ neighbor always had an opinion about her garden.
Etymology
From meddle plus the adjective suffix -some.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for meddlesome
See all rhymes for meddlesome →Frequently asked questions
What does “meddlesome” mean?
The word “meddlesome” means inclined to interfere in other people's business. In plain terms, describes someone who habitually interferes in things that aren't their business.
How do you pronounce “meddlesome”?
“Meddlesome” is pronounced MEH-duhl-suhm (/ˈmɛdəlsəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “meddlesome” in a sentence?
Here is “meddlesome” used in a sentence: “Her meddlesome neighbor always had an opinion about her garden.”
What part of speech is “meddlesome”?
“Meddlesome” is an adjective.
