What does interjected mean?
Interjected is the past tense and past participle of interject, meaning to insert a brief remark, question, or comment into an ongoing conversation. It commonly describes someone speaking unexpectedly between two turns or interrupting a longer speech, although the interruption is often brief and relevant rather than a prolonged disruption. In formal writing and speech, the word can imply that the speaker deliberately sought to clarify, correct, or influence what was being said. For example, a person may interject a question to resolve an ambiguity or interject an objection to challenge an argument. The term is more precise and more formal than conversational alternatives such as 'chip in' or 'butt in.' It is also related in origin to the Latin prefix inter-, meaning 'between,' and the verb project, derived from a Latin root associated with throwing or directing forward. Together, these elements convey the idea of placing speech between the turns of other speakers.
verbTo insert a remark or question abruptly into a conversation or between other speakers' turns. The word is the past tense and past participle of interject.
- To insert a remark, question, or comment abruptly into a conversation or someone else's speech.
"She interjected a brief objection before the speaker had finished."
"A listener interjected with a question that clarified the argument."
"The minister interjected a warning before the report was read in full."
An interjection is a conversation's sudden interruption—a remark that literally throws itself between two speakers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interjected come from?
The verb comes from Latin intericere or interjacere, formed from inter-, meaning 'between,' and jacere, meaning 'to throw.' The English form developed in the 17th century from the Latin past participle interiectus, meaning 'thrown between.' Related English words include inject, project, reject, and eject, all associated with the same broader Latin root of throwing, putting, or directing.
Related word forms
How interjected is actually used
The word is formal and typically describes a brief, noticeable interruption. In less formal contexts, expressions such as 'chip in' or 'butt in' may sound more conversational, with 'butt in' often carrying a mildly negative connotation.
Easily confused with interjected
Interjected means inserted a remark into a conversation, whereas injected means introduced a substance, treatment, or new element into something.