Word
interference
Meanings
unwanted involvement or action that disrupts a situation or prevents something from happening smoothly
a disturbance that makes a signal, sound, or communication less clear, especially in electronic systems
in sport, the illegal act of obstructing an opponent or getting in the way of play
Definition
Interference is an unwanted effect that disrupts a process, signal, or activity.
Interference refers to something that gets in the way and makes an action, system, or communication work poorly. It can be physical, such as two people speaking at once, or technical, such as noise that distorts a radio signal. The word often suggests that the disruption is unhelpful or unwelcome, even if it is not intentional.
Examples
- The project stalled because of constant interference from people who were not involved in the planning.
- I could barely hear the announcement due to interference on the loudspeaker system.
- Her interference in the debate shifted the focus away from the key evidence and toward personal conflict.
- They accused the opposing team of deliberate interference when the striker was blocked off the ball.
- Your interference might be well meant, but it undermines his ability to handle the problem independently.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse interference (the act/effect of disrupting) with interruption (stopping someone mid-action), but they are not always interchangeable.
More at C1 level
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