“Meddle” and “mettle” sound similar but have very different meanings. “Meddle” involves unnecessary interference, while “mettle” relates to a person’s character or spirit.
Meddle
Definition:
“Meddle” means to interfere in something that is not one’s concern or to intrude in someone else’s affairs.
Examples of use:
We have no desire to meddle in the politics of our community.
Please don’t meddle with my personal matters; it’s none of your business.
The manager warned the team not to meddle in other departments’ projects.
Mettle
Definition:
“Mettle” refers to the quality or strength of a person’s character, especially their ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation with resilience.
Examples of use:
Rachel is being given a chance to prove her mettle and worth.
The athletes showed their true mettle during the tough competition.
Facing a challenging project is a good way to test one’s mettle.
While “meddle” is about unwelcome interference, “mettle” refers to the courage and fortitude someone demonstrates in difficult circumstances. These words are homophones with distinct meanings, making it important to use them correctly to convey the intended message.
