'Medal' is the award given in competitions; 'meddle' means to interfere in other people's business.
Noun. A metal disc awarded as a prize in a competition or as recognition of achievement.
She won a gold medal at the national swimming championships.
The soldier received a medal for bravery during the operation.
Olympic medals are made of silver with a gold coating.
Verb. To interfere in or busy oneself unduly with something that is not one's concern.
Please don't meddle in the negotiation — let the team handle it.
She always meddled in her colleagues' projects without being asked.
Stop meddling and let the process run its course.
Common mistake
"She won a meddle at the Olympics" (correct: medal). Or "Don't medal in our business" when meaning interfere (correct: meddle).
Trick to remember it
'Medal' ends in AL like 'oval' and 'metal' — the shape and material of an award. 'Meddle' ends in DLE like 'muddle', 'fiddle', 'puddle' — all suggest something messy or tangled.
Quick rule
Is it the metal award from a competition? 'Medal'. Is it the verb to interfere? 'Meddle'.
Did you know?
'Meddle' and 'medley' share the same Latin root 'misculare' (to mix). A swimming medley combines four strokes; someone who meddles mixes into other people's affairs uninvited. 'Medal' comes from a different root — Latin 'metallum' (metal). The three words are sometimes confused because they sound similar, but their origins are completely different: one is about mixing, one is about metal.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She received a silver _____ for her outstanding contribution to medical research.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He tends to _____ in decisions that are clearly outside his area of responsibility.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it the metal award from a competition? 'Medal'. Is it the verb to interfere? 'Meddle'.
"She won a meddle at the Olympics" (correct: medal). Or "Don't medal in our business" when meaning interfere (correct: meddle).
'Medal' ends in AL like 'oval' and 'metal' — the shape and material of an award. 'Meddle' ends in DLE like 'muddle', 'fiddle', 'puddle' — all suggest something messy or tangled.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy