What does interfere mean?
Interfere usually means to disrupt, obstruct, or improperly influence something such as an activity, investigation, system, or signal. The phrase “interfere with” is especially common: a person may interfere with someone's work, a material may interfere with a machine, or a signal may interfere with communication. The verb can also describe an unwanted intervention in a dispute or public affair, as in “to interfere in other people's business.” This usage often suggests meddling and carries a negative connotation. In physics and telecommunications, however, interference is a technical term for the interaction of waves, and it can be either beneficial or harmful. Disturbing radio reception and overlapping sound waves are both examples. The word is therefore useful both for describing unwanted meddling and for naming a measurable phenomenon involving waves.
verbTo interfere with an activity, process, or system is to interrupt it, obstruct it, or become involved in it without a clear need or invitation. The word can also refer to the interaction of waves that overlap and alter one another.
- To interfere with someone or something is to obstruct, disrupt, or improperly influence an activity, process, or outcome.
- To interfere in an affair or situation is to intervene in it, especially when the intervention is unwarranted or unwelcome.
- To interfere with an object, system, or signal is to affect its operation or the transmission or reception of waves.
"She tried to interfere with the investigation, but the authorities refused to allow her to influence the inquiry."
"The manufacture was accused of interfering with the safety equipment."
"The two radio stations were interfering with each other's signals."
In physics, interference occurs when waves overlap: the familiar bright and dark bands formed by two interfering light waves are caused by differences in how their vibrations reinforce or cancel one another.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interfere come from?
Interfere comes from Latin inter-, meaning “among” or “mutually,” and ferire, meaning “to strike” or “to hit.” The word entered English in the 16th century with senses involving mutual conflict or collision, and its modern meaning developed from the idea of one person or thing striking into the actions of another. The Latin root represented by ferire is related to roots behind words such as refer, confer, defer, and transfer.
Related word forms
How interfere is actually used
In general usage, interference is usually unwanted or unauthorized. The phrase “interfere with” is common in both formal and informal contexts. In physics and signal processing, “interference” is a neutral technical term for the overlapping or interaction of waves.
Easily confused with interfere
No distinct entry is needed because this is the headword.