English Reference
Adjective

intrusive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɪnˈtɹusɪv/ UK /ɪntɹˈuːsɪv/ in·tru·sive Geology Linguistics Programming

adj.affecting your private life or personal space in a way that feels annoying or unwanted. You use this to describe things that push in where they do not belong.

adj.causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcome or uninvited. Often describes behavior, questions, or technology that violates personal boundaries.


SIMPLE

The loud music from the street was very intrusive.

CONTEXTUAL

Many users find targeted advertisements to be intrusive when they appear immediately after a private conversation.

COMPLEX

The journalist was criticized for asking intrusive questions about the family's private grief during the live broadcast.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'feel', 'seem', or 'become'. When used in linguistics or geology, it describes elements that are forced into an existing structure.

Those traumatic memories remain vivid, and some first responders continue to experience anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, sleep problems and difficulty controlling their emotions.

The Conversation· 2 Sept 2026

For visitors, it is not uncommon to pass through metal detectors, submit to intrusive physical searches, follow strict dress codes and wait for hours within facilities.

The Conversation· 10 Aug 2026

Back-formation from intrusion, + -ive.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated