Words / B1

int-uh-FEER/ˌɪntəˈfɪə/

To interfere is to get involved where you are not wanted, or to get in the way: interfere in someone’s life; interfere with a signal / an experiment. Interrupt is to stop someone speaking. Intervention (already below) can be official and planned. Do not use interfere for helping when you were asked — that is help. The pattern interfere with + thing is common for equipment.

Meaning

To get involved in a situation where you are not wanted, or to prevent something from working well (interfere with).

Examples

• “Do not interfere with the experiment while it is running.”
• “Headphones will interfere with the listening test if you leave them on.”
• “She asked her parents not to interfere in the job decision.”

Good to know

interfere in a situation / with a process. Contrast: interrupt (speech). Asked-for help ≠ interfere. Equipment: interfere with.

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