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Meddler Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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meddler

[ˈmɛdlər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in social situations

A person who intrudes into or meddles in other people's affairs, often causing annoyance or interference.

Synonyms

busybody, interferer, nosy parker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
meddler

A person who inserts themselves into other people's affairs without being asked, often causing problems.

  • He's such a meddler; he always tries to fix everyone's issues, even when they don't want his help
busybody

Someone who is overly interested in the private matters of others, often gossiping about them.

  • Our neighbor is a busybody who keeps asking about our personal life
nosy parker

A person who is overly inquisitive about other people's affairs, a term often used in British English.

  • Don't be such a nosy parker; leave the neighbors alone
interferer

A person who involves themselves in matters that are not their business, often disrupting the situation.

  • She is an interferer who can't help but give unsolicited advice in every meeting

Examples of usage

  • He's such a meddler, always gossiping about other people's business.
  • The meddler couldn't resist getting involved in the conflict between the neighbors.
Context #2 | Noun

in political matters

A person who involves themselves in the affairs of others, especially in a disruptive or nosy way, often with the intention of influencing outcomes.

Synonyms

interloper, intruder, schemer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
meddler

Use this word when referring to someone who interferes in others' affairs without being asked. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • He’s such a meddler; he always has to put his nose into my business.
  • Jane complained about her nosy neighbor being a meddler.
interloper

This word is ideal when talking about someone who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or considered not to belong. It often implies a sense of trespassing or intruding.

  • The scientists considered the journalist an interloper in their research facility.
  • The villagers viewed the foreign trader as an interloper.
intruder

Use this when referring to someone who enters a place without permission, often with malign intent. It is generally used in the context of physical spaces like homes or buildings.

  • The police were called to deal with an intruder in the house.
  • She awoke in the middle of the night to find an intruder in her living room.
schemer

This word is used for someone who makes secret plans, usually to achieve something dishonest or illegal. It suggests a more calculated and potentially harmful intent.

  • Everyone knew him as a schemer who was always looking for an angle.
  • The committee expelled the politician for being a schemer behind the corrupt deals.

Examples of usage

  • The meddler was trying to sway the election by spreading false information.
  • She's known as a political meddler, always trying to manipulate situations for her own benefit.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

  • In classic literature, characters dubbed 'meddlers' often drive the plot by creating misunderstandings, like in Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'.
  • Medlers can be found in folklore as busybodies, and in many fables, they're depicted as figures that disrupt harmony.
  • Contemporary media often features meddler characters as comic relief, highlighting their clumsy intrusions into others' lives.

Psychological Perspective

  • Some psychologists suggest that people who meddle may have insecurity issues, seeking validation by getting involved in the affairs of others.
  • The act of meddling can often lead to social conflicts, as boundaries are crossed and trust is broken.
  • Research indicates that meddling can create stress not only for the person being meddled with but also for the meddler themselves, who may feel guilt.

Historical Context

  • In medieval societies, meddlers could disrupt social norms, often seen as a threat to community harmony.
  • Legal records from various cultures show instances where meddling was subject to social punishment or ridicule.
  • Historically, governmental systems have often branded those who meddle in politics as 'troublemakers'.

Social Dynamics

  • In families, a meddler often tries to intervene in relationships, causing rifts or misunderstandings among members.
  • The rise of social media has given birth to a new breed of meddlers, often referred to as 'keyboard warriors', who impose their opinions on others' lives.
  • Cultural norms on privacy influence how meddling is perceived in different societies; what's seen as helpful in one may be viewed as intrusive in another.

Origin of 'meddler'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'meddle' comes from the Middle English term 'meddlen', which means to mix or interfere.
  • It has roots in the Old French word 'medler', echoing the idea of mixing things together.
  • Originally, 'meddler' was a neutral term, but it gradually took on a negative connotation over time.

The word 'meddler' originated in the late 16th century, derived from the Middle English word 'medlen', which means 'to mingle'. The negative connotation of interference or intrusion came about in the 17th century. The term has been used to describe individuals who involve themselves in matters that do not concern them, often causing disruption or annoyance.

See also: meddlesome, meddling.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,828, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.