interfere
gb/ˌɪntɚfˈɪɹ/ us/ˌɪntɚfˈɪɹ/
B1
English
~ 4000
beleavatkozik, beleszól, zavar, akadályoz, szabálytalanul akadályoz
VERB
B1
1
beleszól
B1
Usage pattern:
to interfere in [something]
He doesn’t like it when his parents interfere in his personal relationships.
Nem szereti, amikor a szülei beleavatkoznak a személyes kapcsolataiba.
The government promised not to interfere in the free market.
A kormány megígérte, hogy nem avatkozik bele a szabad piac működésébe.
Please don’t interfere in things you don’t understand.
She accused her neighbors of interfering in her family affairs.
Learner examples
Please do not interfere in my work.
Kérlek, ne avatkozz bele a munkámba.
My father likes to interfere in my choices.
Apám szeret beleszólni a döntéseimbe.
The teacher told the students not to interfere in the fight.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'interfere' with 'interrupt'. 'Interfere' means to get involved in a situation; 'interrupt' means to stop something from continuing for a short time.
Meaning
Get involved without being wanted
Collocations
interfere in politics
|interfere in someone's life
|interfere with personal matters
|interfere in a dispute
Synonyms
meddle (More informal and often slightly more negative than 'interfere'.)
Antonyms
mind one's own business (Means to avoid getting involved in matters that do not concern you.)
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|conflict
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To try to get involved in something that is not your business or where people do not want your help.
To take part in or try to influence a situation that does not involve you or where your involvement is not wanted.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to interfere with [something]
The noise from the construction site interfered with my concentration.
Az építkezés zaja zavarta a koncentrációmat.
Heavy rain interfered with the satellite signal.
A heves eső megzavarta a műholdas jelet.
Don’t let your emotions interfere with your judgment.
Glare from the sun can interfere with a driver’s vision.
Learner examples
The rain interfered with our game.
Az eső megzavarta a játékunkat.
Loud music can interfere with sleep.
A hangos zene zavarhatja az alvást.
A bad internet connection interferes with video calls.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'disturb' when they mean 'interfere with'. 'Disturb' often means to bother or interrupt, while 'interfere with' means to affect performance or function.
Meaning
Prevent normal operation or progress
Collocations
interfere with progress
|interfere with communication
|interfere with a signal
|interfere with performance
Synonyms
hinder ('Hinder' is slightly more formal and focuses on making progress slower or more difficult.)
Antonyms
facilitate (Means to make something easier or help it happen smoothly.)
Themes
technology
|sports
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
To stop something from working well or from happening in the normal way.
To cause a process, activity, or piece of equipment to stop working properly or happen less effectively.
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
3
The defender was penalized for interfering with the receiver.
A védőt megbüntették, mert szabálytalanul akadályozta az elkapót.
You cannot interfere with the goalkeeper inside the goal area.
A kapust nem akadályozhatod a kapuelőtéren belül.
He was called for pass interference during the game.
Learner examples
The player was punished for interfering with the other team.
A játékost megbüntették, mert szabálytalanul akadályozta az ellenfelet.
You cannot interfere with the goalkeeper.
Nem akadályozhatod a kapust.
He got a penalty for interference.
Meaning
Illegally block an opponent in sports
Collocations
interfere with a player
|pass interference
|goalkeeper interference
Synonyms
obstruct ('Obstruct' is more general; 'interfere' here is specific to sports rules.)
Antonyms
play fair (Means to follow the rules and allow fair play.)
Themes
sports
Definition
In sports, to stop another player from playing fairly by touching them or getting in their way when it is not allowed.
In sports, to illegally block, touch, or distract an opponent, preventing them from playing fairly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interfere
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚfˈɪɹ/
US/ˌɪntɚfˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - fere (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: interfere
- 3rd Person Singular: interferes
- Present Participle: interfering
- Past: interfered
Word family
Forms
interferes
verb
interfering
verb
interfered
verb
Core family
interference
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
non-interference
noun
Expressions
interfere in
1/ˌɪntɚfˈɪɹ ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Get involved without being asked
To try to be part of something that is not your business or where you are not wanted.
Examples
- I don’t want to interfere in their argument.
- The country has vowed not to interfere in foreign elections.
interfere with
1/ˌɪntɚfˈɪɹ wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
Negatively affect normal functioning
To make it difficult for something to work well or happen normally.
Examples
- Stress can interfere with your sleep patterns.
- The bad weather interfered with the flight schedule.