How to pronounce interfere
Say it like in-ter-FEER. Interfere has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FEER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce interfere. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ter
- FEER
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Interfere pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- FEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of interfere
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-tuh-FEER.
What does interfere mean?
- come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle“Your talking interferes with my work!”
- get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force“Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II?”
Where does interfere come from?
From Old French entreferir, from entre- + ferir (“to hit, to strike”), itself from the Latin verb ferio.
Words that rhyme with interfere
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of interfere.
Questions about saying interfere
How do you pronounce interfere?
Say in-ter-FEER. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪntɚˈfɪr/. In British English it is /ˌɪntəˈfɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in interfere?
Interfere has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FEER). Broken into parts: in · ter · FEER.
Is interfere pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌɪntəˈfɪə/ (in-tuh-FEER).