Etymology Map
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Interfere

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to get involved without being asked

Where does the word "interfere" come from? It comes from Latin ferire, passing through Old French before entering English (1520s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
ferire
Latin · ancient
"to strike"
'inter', between, plus 'ferire', to strike
2
Stage 2 of 3
s'entreferir
Old French · medieval
"to strike each other"
used of horses knocking their legs together
3
Stage 3 of 3
interfere
English · 1520s
"to strike against"
radio 'interference' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Interfere’s story begins in Latin: ferire meant “to strike.” 'inter', between, plus 'ferire', to strike. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as s'entreferir. Used of horses knocking their legs together. It reached English by 1520s as interfere. Radio 'interference' dates from the 1900s. Today, interfere means to get involved without being asked.