meddle

1 of 2

verb

med·​dle ˈme-dᵊl 

meddled; meddling

ˈmed-liŋ, 

ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ 

intransitive verb

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern : interfere without right or propriety (see propriety sense 1)

… I never meddle in other people's private affairs …

—George Bernard Shaw

meddler

ˈmed-lər  ˈme-dᵊl-ər 

noun

meddler

2 of 2

noun

med·​dler -d(ᵊ)lə(r) 

plural -s

: one that meddles : busybody

Synonyms of meddle

Verb

• interfere
• mess

Examples of meddle in a Sentence

Verb

please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Marrero, who has also found himself at odds with the board, has accused members of meddling in the day-to-day operations of the district. — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026

The executive class views meddling from the owner’s suite as part of the job. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Which of these adults will have their real estate crimes interrupted by those meddling kids and their puppy? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Trump has continued to meddle with the Fed, including reinstating an effort on weak evidence to fire Governor Lisa Cook. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English medlen, from Anglo-French mesler, medler, from Vulgar Latin *misculare, from Latin miscēre to mix — more at mix

Noun

Middle English medeler, from medelen, medlen to meddle + -er

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meddle

• bedell
• heddle
• medal
• pedal
• peddle
• wedel
• bipedal
• intermeddle

Kids Definition

meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈmed-ᵊl 

meddled; meddling ˈmed-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern

meddle in another's business

meddler

ˈmed-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun