What does meddle mean?
Meddle means to interfere with affairs that do not properly concern oneself, or to handle or alter something without permission or proper authority. It is especially common in warnings such as “Don't meddle” and “Don't meddle in my business,” where its tone is distinctly disapproving. The expression “meddle with” also appears when someone tampers with machinery, settings, or dangerous substances. Although meddle is now chiefly negative, its history gives it an additional sense of disorder: the word originally referred to mixing or mingling things and then to muddling affairs. In modern use, it describes unnecessary and potentially troublesome involvement rather than ordinary participation. The word is useful because it distinguishes well-intentioned involvement from overstepping boundaries, whether those boundaries concern another person's privacy, another person's decisions, or the safe operation of equipment.
verbTo interfere in affairs that are not one's own or concern oneself with something without permission or authority.
- To interfere in matters that are not one's own.
- To handle, adjust, or tamper with something without authority or permission.
"She learned not to meddle in her neighbours' affairs."
"Do not meddle with the equipment unless you have been trained to use it."
"A good leader knows when to delegate without meddling in every decision."
From mixing liquids to mixing in other people's business: meddle began as a word for muddling things together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meddle come from?
Meddle comes through Middle English medlen from Old English gemǣlan, meaning “to mix” or “mingle.” Its sense of confusing or muddling affairs developed into the modern idea of interfering in matters that are not one's own. It is related to forms such as Middle Dutch mengelen and Old Norse mala, and to the English word medley.
Related word forms
How meddle is actually used
The word usually carries a negative or cautionary connotation. The common expressions are “meddle in” when referring to other people's affairs and “meddle with” when referring to equipment, substances, or something being handled.
Easily confused with meddle
To meddle is to interfere with something, whereas to muddle is to confuse or put something into disorder.