meddler

From Middle English medlere, medelere, equivalent to meddle +‎ -er.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmɛdlə(ɹ)/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɛdlɚ/, /ˈmɛdl̩ɚ/

• Audio (US):

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• Homophone: medlar

meddler (plural meddlers)

1. One who meddles or interferes in something not of their concern.
   • 1790, Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments;  In Two Volumes, 6th edition, volume II, London: A Strahan; and T Cadell ; Edinburgh: W Creech, and J. Bell & Co., →OCLC, part VI, section I (Of the Character of the Individual, so far as It Affects His Own Happiness; or of Prudence), page 59:

     The prudent man is not willing to ſubject himſelf to any responſibility which his duty does not impoſe upon him. He is not a buſtler in buſineſs where he has no concern; is not a meddler in other people’s affairs; is not a profeſſed counſellor or adviſer, who obtrudes his advice where nobody is aſking it.

   • 1868, Horatio Alger, Struggling Upward‎:

     “Yes, Mr. Coleman, I have,” answered Luke steadily. “I thought it my duty to inform this man of your character. I have advised him to put his money into a savings-bank.”
     “Curse you for an impertinent meddler!” said Coleman wrathfully. “I’ll get even with you for this!”
     “You can do as you please,” said Luke calmly.

   • 1934, H. P. Lovecraft, Through the Gates of the Silver Key, chapter 8:

     “Stop!” The hoarse, oddly alien voice of the Swami held a tone beyond all mere earthly fright “I told you there was another form of proof which I could give if necessary, and I warned you not to provoke me to it. This red-faced old meddler is right; I’m not really an East Indian. This face is a mask, and what it covers is not human.”

• busybody
• kibitzer
• marplot
• nosey parker

• gatecrasher, interloper, peeping tom, persona non grata, encroacher, backseat driver, intruder, buttinsky, ultracrepidarianism