Basic Details
Word: Interference
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Getting involved in something when you are not wanted; also unwanted noise or disturbance on a radio, TV or phone signal.
Synonyms: meddling, intrusion, disruption, obstruction
How to Spell Interference
Syllables: in - ter - fer - ence
Tricky part: Interfere swaps its last e for -ence. The ending is not -ance, and the r after fe is not doubled.
Watch out for: interferance, interferrence, intereference
Memory tip: Reference, preference, conference and interference all end in -erence with a single r. Learn them as one family.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The coach said he would not allow any interference from parents during practice.
Example 2: A thunderstorm caused interference on the TV.
Example 3: Grandpa likes to fix his scooter without any interference.
Fun Fact
Microwave ovens work at about 2.45 gigahertz, very close to the 2.4 gigahertz band used by home Wi-Fi, so a leaky oven can slow the Wi-Fi down.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word interference as used in the sentence:
The umpire asked the captain to stop his interference in the bowler's run-up.
a) payment
b) support
c) applause
d) meddling
Show answer
d) meddling. Getting involved where you are not wanted is meddling.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
inter_er_nce
a) f, e
b) v, e
c) f, a
d) f, i
Show answer
a) f, e. Start from interfere: the f stays, and its final e turns into the e of -ence.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Radio ecretneerfni made the cricket commentary hard to follow.
a) preference
b) inference
c) intervention
d) interference
Show answer
d) interference. Twelve letters with four e's and an f: intervention has a v and an o, and the other two are too short.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Interference on a phone line causes ____.
a) crackling noise
b) a longer battery life
c) free calls
d) a brighter screen
Show answer
a) crackling noise
2. Interference is the noun of which verb?
a) intervene
b) intercept
c) interfere
d) interrupt
Show answer
c) interfere
