Interloper
A person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or invited; an intruder or meddler who intrudes on others' affairs.
nounInterloper
A person who becomes involved in a place or situation where they are not wanted or invited; an intruder or meddler who intrudes on others' affairs.
nounImagine This
Imagine a social gathering where someone quietly glides between conversations, interrupting and inserting themselves into every group’s talk, clearly not invited and unwelcome.
Sounds Like
IN-ter-LOHP-er
Looks Like
The word looks like two parts: inter- (between) and lope (to run), hinting at someone who runs between people or groups
Remember This
Interloper originally described someone who interferes in others' business or trade; the emphasis is on unwanted intrusion, not mere presence.
Other Forms
Connect With
intruder, meddler, encroacher, outsider, trespasser
Note
Do not confuse with intruder in the sense of breaking into a place; interloper emphasizes meddling in people’s affairs or entering a space where one isn’t welcome.
Study Deeper
- A curious neighbor acted as an interloper at the homeowners' meeting, interrupting everyone with unsolicited advice.
- The journalist was accused of being an interloper during the private negotiations, stepping beyond professional boundaries.
From Middle English interloper, from inter- 'between' + loper 'runner', describing someone who runs between parties to interfere in their affairs.
Interloper = INTER between + LOPE (to run). Picture a person who runs between groups at a party, crashing conversations and sticking their nose into others' business.
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