meddle
C1Formal and informal; often carries a negative or critical tone.
Definition
Meaning
To interfere in or busy oneself unduly with something that is not one's concern.
To handle or touch something without permission, especially in a clumsy or damaging way; to intrude into someone else's affairs without invitation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Meddle" implies unwanted or unwelcome interference, often with the suggestion of causing harm or disruption. It is more negative than synonyms like 'interfere' or 'intervene', which can sometimes be neutral or positive. It does not imply physical interference only; it is commonly used for non-physical intrusion into affairs, decisions, or processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The word is used with similar frequency and connotations in both dialects.
Connotations
Universally negative, implying annoying, unwanted, or harmful interference.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but still a standard word in American English. In American English, 'mess with' or 'interfere with' might be more frequent in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] meddles in [object: affair/business/matter][Subject] meddles with [object: system/object/arrangement]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “meddle in someone's affairs”
- “fools rush in where angels fear to tread (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Criticising unnecessary corporate or government intervention: 'The new regulations just allow the state to meddle in private enterprise.'
Academic
Discussing historical or political interference: 'The great powers often meddled in the internal politics of smaller nations.'
Everyday
Complaining about personal interference: 'I wish my mother-in-law would stop meddling in our marriage.'
Technical
Rare. Could be used in computing/engineering regarding unauthorised system changes: 'A bug occurred because someone meddled with the core code.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please don't meddle in the committee's decisions.
- He's always meddling with the television settings.
American English
- The government has no right to meddle in our personal lives.
- She warned him not to meddle with the evidence.
adverb
British English
- He acted meddlingly, offering advice where it wasn't wanted.
American English
- She peered meddlingly into their private correspondence.
adjective
British English
- He has a meddlesome nature.
- The report criticised their meddling behaviour.
American English
- She's known for being meddlesome.
- We faced meddling interference from headquarters.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother always tries to meddle in my arguments with my friends.
- Don't meddle with things you don't understand.
- The official was accused of meddling in the electoral process to favour his party.
- Foreign powers should not meddle in the sovereign affairs of this nation.
- Her propensity to meddle in departmental politics eventually led to her dismissal from the advisory board.
- The central bank's decision to meddle with the exchange rate sparked a currency crisis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEDDLE and NOSE together – to 'meddle' is to 'poke your nose into' other people's business.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERFERENCE IS PHYSICAL INTRUSION / TOUCHING (e.g., 'keep your hands off', 'fingers in too many pies').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "посредничать" (to mediate).
- Не переводить как "смешивать" (to mix/blend).
- Ближайший эквивалент по смыслу — "вмешиваться (не в своё дело)", "лезть (куда не следует)".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'meddle' (interfere) with 'medal' (award).
- Using 'meddle' in a positive context (e.g., 'The teacher meddled to help the student' – should be 'intervened').
- Incorrect preposition: 'meddle on' (incorrect) vs. 'meddle in/with' (correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'meddle' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Meddle' is almost always negative and implies clumsy, unwanted involvement in other people's private affairs. 'Interfere' can be neutral or negative and has a broader use, including physical obstruction (e.g., 'interfere with the signal').
Extremely rarely. Its core meaning is negative interference. For positive intervention, use words like 'intervene', 'help', or 'assist'.
The two main prepositions are 'in' and 'with'. Use 'meddle in' for affairs, business, or decisions (non-physical). Use 'meddle with' for physical objects, systems, or arrangements.
The direct noun is 'meddling' (uncountable, e.g., 'stop your meddling'). The person who meddles is a 'meddler'. The adjective is 'meddlesome'.