verb
interfere
ihn-tuh-FEER
verb
1
To get involved in something in a way that disrupts or is unwelcome.
"Her parents kept interfering in her relationship."
"Please don't interfere with the investigation."
2
Of waves, to combine and affect each other when they overlap.
"The two light waves interfere, creating a pattern of bright and dark bands."
How to Use Interfere
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get in the way of something or meddle where you're not wanted; in physics, to describe waves overlapping and affecting each other.
Common pairings
interfere with
interfere in someone's affairs
Word Forms
interfered past tense, interferes singular
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Etymology
From Old French entreferir, from entre- ("between") plus ferir ("to strike").