Meddlesome Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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meddlesome

[ˈmɛdəlsəm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in relationships

Interfering in other people's affairs or business; meddling.

Synonyms

busybody, intrusive, nosy, prying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
meddlesome	Used to describe someone who interferes in other people's affairs without being asked, often causing trouble or disruptions. Her meddlesome behavior caused many arguments among her friends
intrusive	Used to describe actions or behaviors that invade someone's privacy or personal space, often making them feel uncomfortable. His intrusive questions made everyone feel uneasy during the meeting
nosy	Informal and often slightly negative term for someone who shows too much curiosity about other people's lives or business. Stop being so nosy; it's none of your business what they're talking about
prying	Refers to a person or behavior that tries to find out private or sensitive information about someone else, often considered inappropriate or unwelcome. She couldn't help but feel that his prying questions were an invasion of her privacy
busybody	Refers to a person who is overly interested in the private matters of others, often in a way that is seen as annoying or inappropriate. The new neighbor is such a busybody, always peeking over the fence to see what we are doing

Examples of usage

She was always asking me about my personal life, she was quite meddlesome.
The meddlesome neighbor couldn't resist gossiping about everyone on the block.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in work

Interfering or intruding in a situation or activity where one is not wanted or needed.

Synonyms

interfering, intrusive, meddling, obtrusive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
meddlesome	Used to describe someone who habitually inserts themselves into situations where they are not wanted or needed. Often used negatively. Her meddlesome nature made it difficult for her coworkers to discuss personal issues around her. A meddlesome neighbor kept peeking over the fence to see what we were doing.
interfering	Applied when someone is interrupting or getting involved in a situation, often causing problems or being unwelcome. Typically negative. His interfering comments only made the argument worse. She wished her mother would stop interfering with her decisions.
intrusive	Describes actions or behavior that invade someone's privacy or space. Commonly used in a negative sense. His questions were very intrusive and made everyone uncomfortable. The intrusive paparazzi wouldn’t leave the celebrity alone.
obtrusive	Used when describing something or someone that is noticeably annoying or unwanted; often used to describe something physically prominent or something that stands out in an unwelcome way. The obtrusive sound of construction work disturbed the meeting. Her perfume was so obtrusive that it filled the entire room.
meddling	Refers to minor but annoying habitual involvement in someone else's affairs. Negative connotation. He was always meddling in things that didn't concern him. Her meddling in office politics caused a lot of unnecessary tension.

Examples of usage

His meddlesome behavior at the office made everyone uncomfortable.
The meddlesome colleague kept trying to micromanage my projects.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Interfering in others' affairs often stems from a desire for control or anxiety about situations outside one’s own.
People labeled as 'meddlesome' may struggle with boundaries, finding it hard to respect others' privacy.

Literature

In classic literature, meddlesome characters often serve as comic relief or create conflict, like the character of Mr. Collins in 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Shakespeare often portrayed meddlesome individuals—think of the character Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who complicates relationships through interference.

Pop Culture

Movies often depict meddlesome characters as nagging relatives or friends who can't stay out of others' business, adding humor and drama.
TV shows frequently use the trope of the meddlesome neighbor or friend to explore the concept of social boundaries.

Sociology

In various cultures, being meddlesome can be seen as either endearing or intrusive, based on social norms around privacy.
Community dynamics often reflect how meddlesome behavior is viewed, with some cultures valuing close involvement in each other's lives while others respect personal space.

Origin of 'meddlesome'

Main points about word origin

The word 'meddlesome' has roots in the Old English word 'meddian', which means to interfere.
It evolved in the late 14th century, combining ‘meddle’ with the suffix ‘-some’, which implies a tendency or disposition.

The word 'meddlesome' originated from the Middle English word 'medelsome', which meant inclined to meddle. The suffix '-some' is used to form adjectives indicating a tendency or state. The word 'meddle' itself comes from the Old English 'meddlian', meaning to mix, mingle, or interfere. Over time, 'meddlesome' has evolved to describe someone who interferes inappropriately in the affairs of others.