3 syllables: In, ter, fere. Stress on fere.
in-tur-FIR
/ˌɪntɚˈfɪɹ/
Interfere is pronounced in-tur-FIR (/ˌɪntɚˈfɪɹ/). It has three syllables (In-ter-fere), with the stress on "fere". Interfere (verb) means to get in the way of a process or activity, often causing disruption or obstruction. It can also refer to intruding in someone else’s affairs. The sense emphasizes hindrance rather than active participation, and is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts. The word carries a nuanced implication of unwanted involvement and potential conflict.
verbInterfere (verb) means to get in the way of a process or activity, often causing disruption or obstruction. It can also refer to intruding in someone else’s affairs. The sense emphasizes hindrance rather than active participation, and is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts. The word carries a nuanced implication of unwanted involvement and potential conflict.
How to Pronounce Interfere
"The noisy construction outside the window can interfere with my concentration."
"She warned him not to interfere with the negotiations."
"Too many interruptions will interfere with the experiment’s results."
US: /ˌɪn.tɚ.ˈfɪr/; UK: /ˌɪn.tə.ˈfɪə/; AU: /ˌɪn.tə.ˈfiː.ə/ (often /ˌɪn.tə.ˈfiːə/ in fast speech). Stress falls on the final syllable, with the second syllable reduced. Start with a short, unstressed first syllable, then a clear middle, and end with a strong but not overly drawn-out final /fɪr/ (US) or /fɪə/ (UK) or /fiːə/ (AU). Mouth positions: begin with a tight jaw for /ɪ/ in the first syllable, lift the tongue for /t/ and a soft /ɚ/ or /ə/ in the second, then finish with the rounded lips for /r/ or /ə/. Audio reference: listen to native speakers on Pronounce or Forvo to compare regional variants.
Two frequent errors: 1) Over-emphasizing three syllables (in-ter-FEER) instead of a two-to-three-unit rhythm; 2) Misplacing vowel quality in the final syllable, producing /ˈfɪər/ in all accents or turning it into /fiː/ too flat. Correction: keep the second syllable a quick, reduced /tɚ/ (or /tə/ in non-rhotic accents), then roundly articulate the final /fɪr/ (US) or /fɪə/ (UK/AU) with minimal tension in the lips. Practice with minimal pairs: interference vs infinite, etc. Always check your mouth positions in a mirror or recording.
US: rhotic /ɹ/ in final /ɪr/; final consonant often clearly voiced; typical /ˌɪn.tɚ.ˈfɪr/. UK: non-rhotic /ɪn.tə.ˈfɪə/ with a longer, rounded final vowel; reduced /ə/ in the second syllable; AU: more centralized vowels, final /ˈfiːə/ or /ˈfiːə/ with a longer vowel and softer /r/ depending on speaker. The main difference is vowel quality and rhotic vs non-rhoticness, plus the degree of vowel shortening in the second syllable. IPA references: US /ˌɪn.tɚ.ˈfɪɚ/; UK /ˌɪn.tə.ˈfɪə/; AU /ˌɪn.tə.ˈfiːə/.
Two core challenges: 1) the tricky two-syllable rhythm after an unstressed initial, creating a quick, compact final /fɪr/ or /fɪə/; 2) vowel reduction in the second syllable can blur the boundary between /t/ and /ɚ/ or /tə/. The result is a smooth, two-beat word that can slip into sounds like ‘infer’ if you don’t maintain the final /r/ or /ə/ quality. Focus on maintaining final-lip rounding and a crisp /t/ release before the final vowel cluster.
A distinctive trait is the contrast between the unstressed second syllable and the stressed final syllable, which can create a perceptual boundary in listening: /in/. /tɚ/ vs. /ˈfɪr/ or /ˈfiə/. The word hinges on a strong final syllable with precise lip rounding and a short, clear /ɹ/ or a close /ə/ depending on the accent. The key is not to overextend the middle syllable; keep it light and quick.
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Interfere comes from the Latin interferire, formed from inter- meaning between or among, and ferire meaning to strike or hit. The sense evolved through French into English, with “interfere” appearing in the 17th century to denote acting between others, sometimes implying meddling or impeding. The word inherits a core notion of crossing boundaries or inserting oneself into a process where one is not welcome, leading to the modern sense of hampering activities or conversations. Over time, the usage broadened from physical hindrance to figurative disruption in discussions, plans, or systems. Early uses often highlighted interference in legal or military contexts, then expanding to everyday talk about interruptions, electronic or strategic disruption, and social meddling. In contemporary English, “interfere” frequently collocates with “with,” as in “interfere with” something, and with constructs like “interfere in someone’s affairs.” The deterioration of the boundary between competing interests has reinforced negative connotations, making it a word often associated with caution and boundary-setting in professional or interpersonal domains.
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Words that rhyme with "Interfere"
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