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

Francis had been meddling in Elijah’s music career for a few weeks and their feud has gone from the studio to the ring. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Emma Woodhouse entertains herself by meddling in the romantic affairs of her neighbors. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

This has unsettled some Pentagon officials who fear the scrutiny will invite meddling. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent events involving a former ICC Prosecutor accused of improperly meddling in the dispute between the South Caucasus nations of Armenia and Azerbaijan show why Congress and the State Department have had reason to be so concerned. — Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 17 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