What does interlope mean?
Interlope means to intrude into an activity, discussion, organization, or place where one is not wanted or has not been authorized. It often implies a disregard for boundaries: someone who interposes themselves in a conversation, enters competitors' territory, or participates in business without proper permission. The related noun interloper is used for an unauthorized or unwanted participant, especially in commercial or historical contexts. Although the modern sense is chiefly negative, the verb originally conveyed the idea of moving or ranging between places, sometimes into territory claimed by others. Interlope remains understandable in formal writing, but it is less common than intrude, interfere, or trespass in everyday speech. Its lasting interest lies in its vivid history: the word combines the prefix inter-, meaning “between” or “among,” with lope, an older word related to running or moving, preserving an image of someone slipping into a place where they do not belong.
verbTo intrude into an activity, conversation, or place without invitation or authorization. Historically, it also meant to move or range between places, especially into territory belonging to others.
- To intrude into an activity, conversation, or place without invitation or authorization.
- To participate in an activity without having the right or proper permission to do so.
"Several uninvited guests began to interlope in the discussion."
"A few passersby interloped in the speaker's presentation."
"The company was accused of interloping in a market reserved for licensed traders."
Interlope preserves the image of someone slipping into a space that was not meant for them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interlope come from?
Interlope was formed in the early 17th century from the prefix inter- and lope, an older English word associated with running or moving. Its original sense was to range or move between places, and it later developed the modern sense of intruding into the territory or affairs of others. Lope is also related to loop, and the resulting noun interloper became common in legal, commercial, and political contexts.
Related word forms
How interlope is actually used
The word normally carries a strongly negative or disapproving connotation. It is somewhat formal and literary, especially in descriptions of commercial, legal, or political interference.
Easily confused with interlope
Interlope means to intrude into an activity or conversation, whereas interpolate means to insert words, material, or data into an existing text or sequence.