2 syllables: Medd, le. Stress on Medd.
MED-uhl
/ˈmɛdəl/
Meddle is pronounced MED-uhl (/ˈmɛdəl/). It has two syllables (Medd-le), with the stress on "Medd". Meddle is a verb meaning to interfere in others’ affairs or to involve oneself in matters that are not one’s concern. It conveys intrusion or meddling, often with a negative connotation. The sense stresses unwanted involvement rather than active engagement or help. Typical usage appears in warnings or complaints about others’ over-intrusive behavior.
verbMeddle is a verb meaning to interfere in others’ affairs or to involve oneself in matters that are not one’s concern. It conveys intrusion or meddling, often with a negative connotation. The sense stresses unwanted involvement rather than active engagement or help. Typical usage appears in warnings or complaints about others’ over-intrusive behavior.
How to Pronounce Meddle
"- Stop meddling in your sister’s plans; give her space to decide."
"- The supervisor warned the team not to meddle with the project’s confidential details."
"- She resents how neighbors meddle in her personal life."
Pronounce as /ˈmɛdəl/ in US and UK. Stress is on the first syllable: MED-dle. The first vowel is the short e as in ‘bet,’ the second is a reduced schwa. Keep the d clearly articulated, followed by a light, almost schwa-like end in /l/. In connected speech you may hear a quick, soft /d/ before the final /əl/. Audio hints: start with a strong /m/ and finish with a soft /l/.
Common errors include turning the first syllable into a longer, tense vowel (e.g., /ˈmeddəl/ with a longer /e/) or pronouncing the second vowel as a full vowel like /i/ or /e/. Another error is overemphasizing the second syllable so it sounds like MEDD-UL rather than MED-dəl. Correct by using a short /ɛ/ in the first syllable, reduce the second vowel to a schwa /ə/ and clearly articulate the final /l/.
In US/UK, the first syllable bears primary stress: /ˈmɛdəl/ (US) vs /ˈmɛd(ə)l/ (UK). The /ə/ in the second syllable is reduced, with a light, non-rhotic ending in many British accents; in US, the /l/ is more clearly enunciated. Australian English tends to be more centralized on the second vowel, with a softer /d/ and a more clipped /l/. Overall, rhoticity is not central here, but vowel quality and the strength of the /l/ can vary. IPA references: US /ˈmɛdəl/, UK /ˈmedl/ or /ˈmɛdl/; AU /ˈmedl/.
The challenge lies in a closed, unstressed second syllable and a subtle vowel reduction from the first to the second syllable. The /d/ in the middle should be crisp but not overemphasized, while the final /l/ requires light contact with the alveolar ridge for a clean, airy conclusion. Rapid speech can blur the /d/ into a flap, so practice keeping both consonants distinct and ensure the first vowel stays compact—/ɛ/ rather than a longer /eɪ/.
A unique aspect is balancing the short /ɛ/ with a fully formed final /l/ while maintaining a fast but clear rhythm. Unlike many two-syllable words, the schwa in the second syllable is often reduced, so listeners rely on the crisp /d/ and the trailing /l/ to cue the word boundary. Visualize a light, quick onset to the /d/ and a relaxed, tip-of-tongue /l/ to avoid a heavy or dental-laden finish.
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Meddle comes from the Old English middle, tied to the idea of mixing or stirring into something. Its semantic shift from “to mix” to “to interfere” likely developed through metaphorical extension: to meddle is to stir into others’ affairs as one would various ingredients, thereby disrupting the natural order or outcome. The term appears in Middle English texts as meddle, meddle- in sense of to mix or mingle, and by the 16th century had acquired the pejorative sense of intrusion. Throughout its evolution, the word retained the sense of action that causes disruption, with synonyms spanning interference and nosiness. Its first known uses appear in literature and legal prose where boundaries of consent and autonomy were discussed, underscoring social norms about privacy and proper conduct. Today, meddle remains a compact, strong verb specifically chosen when the speaker wants to condemn unnecessary or inappropriate involvement in someone else’s business.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Meddle" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Meddle" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Meddle"
-dle sounds
-tle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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