# intrusive

/ˌɪnˈtɹusɪv/ (US) · /ɪntɹˈuːsɪv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/intrusive
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- The loud music from the street was very intrusive.
- Many users find targeted advertisements to be intrusive when they appear immediately after a private conversation.
- The journalist was criticized for asking intrusive questions about the family's private grief during the live broadcast.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.