# meddle

/ˈmɛdəɫ/ (US) · /mˈɛdəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meddle
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

to get involved in something that is not your business. You use this when someone is trying to change a situation that does not concern them.

For teachers: to interfere in the affairs of others or in a situation that is not one's concern. Often carries a negative connotation of being intrusive or overstepping one's bounds.

## Examples

- He does not want anyone to meddle in his private life.
- The neighbors stopped meddling in our garden after we put up a fence.
- The committee warned that outside investors should not meddle in the company's internal operations, as such interference often leads to a loss of focus on long-term goals.

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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.