intrude
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
to go or come into a place or situation where you are not wanted or not expected
To impose or force oneself, one's ideas, or presence upon others without welcome; to enter uninvited into thoughts, privacy, or a domain; to be an unwelcome disruption.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used with a negative connotation of unwanted imposition or violation of boundaries. It implies a lack of permission, welcome, or propriety. Can refer to physical entry, interruption of privacy, or unwelcome imposition of thoughts/opinions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slight preference for 'intrude on/upon' over 'intrude into' in both, but no significant regional distinction.
Connotations
Identical: strongly negative connotation of rudeness or violation.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Possibly slightly more common in British English in formal or legal contexts (e.g., 'intrusion of privacy').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intrude on/upon somethingintrude into somethingintrude (intransitive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To intrude on someone's grief/privacy/time”
- “I don't mean to intrude...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe unwelcome involvement in projects, meetings, or market spaces. 'The new regulations intrude on managerial autonomy.'
Academic
Used in discussions of ethics, privacy, or epistemology. 'The researcher must not intrude upon the subjects' private lives.'
Everyday
Common in apologies for interrupting. 'Sorry to intrude, but your taxi is here.'
Technical
In geology: for igneous rock forcing into existing strata. In computing: for unauthorized access to systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I do apologise for intruding on your meeting.
- He felt a pang of guilt intruding upon her solitude.
- Volcanic rock can intrude into the sedimentary layers.
American English
- I don't want to intrude on your family time.
- Negative thoughts kept intruding into her mind.
- The new policy intrudes on individual freedoms.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude.
- Please knock before you enter, so you don't intrude.
- He intruded into our conversation.
- The journalist was accused of intruding on the celebrity's private life.
- I hate to intrude upon your grief, but we need a decision.
- Companies should not intrude into their employees' personal data.
- The state has no right to intrude upon the sanctity of the individual conscience.
- Memories of the accident would intrude upon him at the most inopportune moments.
- The dyke is a mass of igneous rock that intruded during the Paleogene period.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RUDE person pushing IN (IN-TRUDE) where they are not wanted.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIVACY/SPACE IS A CONTAINER; intruding is crossing its boundary. THOUGHTS ARE A PRIVATE SPACE; intrusive thoughts violate it.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'вторгаться' (invade), которое сильнее и обычно о войсках. 'Intrude' чаще о социальной неуместности.
- Не переводить дословно как 'интрудить'. Правильные переводы: 'вторгаться', 'вмешиваться', 'навязываться'.
- Обратите внимание на предлоги: intrude ON/UPON (чаще) или INTO.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intrude' transitively without a preposition (Wrong: 'He intruded my room'. Correct: 'He intruded into my room').
- Confusing 'intrude' (unwanted entry) with 'obtrude' (to force something to be noticed).
- Using in positive contexts (it is almost always negative).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'intrude' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost without exception. It carries a strong connotation of being unwelcome, rude, or violating boundaries. In rare technical contexts (geology), it is neutral.
'Invade' is stronger, more aggressive, and often implies a large-scale, hostile incursion (e.g., armies, pests). 'Intrude' is softer, focusing on social impropriety or unwanted personal presence.
'Intrude on' and 'intrude upon' are the most common, especially for abstract concepts like privacy or time. 'Intrude into' is also correct, often for physical spaces or thoughts. The verb can also be used intransitively.
Rarely and only in a slightly old-fashioned or formal way, meaning 'to force (something) in'. The standard modern use is intransitive or followed by a preposition (intrude on/into).