- pronunciation:
- In
t
r
fir
- features:
- Word History, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
interferes, interfering, interfered |
| definition 1: |
When something interferes with something else, it blocks it or makes its progress difficult. If something interferes with what you are doing, it means that it makes it difficult for you to do or to do well or correctly.
Noise from the party next door interfered with Maria's sleep.Talking on a cell phone can interfere with safe driving.- synonyms:
- block, hamper
|
| definition 2: |
If someone interferes in something, they get involved in it even though other people don't want them to or even if they are not allowed to.
The other team got a home run because a fan interfered in the play.She doesn't want us to go, so she keeps trying to interfere in our plans.- similar words:
- nose
|
| derivations: |
interferingly (adv.), interferer (n.) |
Interfere comes from an early French word that means "to strike or knock together." The French word referred to the horseshoe striking the lower part of a horse's leg, which would interfere with the horse's gait.