interface

interface — noun

1. The physical link or software display through which a person controls a computer

1.nounB1
Definition

The physical link or software display through which a person controls a computer or electronic tool, enabling data transfer or user interaction.

Example

The USB interface on Ravindra's camera lets him copy photos to his computer quickly.

interface + on + [device]; physical port

Hiro connected the microphone to the audio interface before recording his podcast.

collocation: connect + [device] + to + interface

Common collocations
  • user interface
  • graphical interface
  • touch interface
  • interface design
  • interface cable
Synonyms
  • connection

    broader term; refers to any link, not just electronic

  • port

    specifically a physical socket; narrower than interface

  • link

    informal; general connection between two things

Usage Note

Commonly used with prepositions 'between' (the interface between two systems) and 'on' (the interface on a device). In computing, also used as part of compound terms such as 'user interface' (UI) and 'command-line interface' (CLI).

Common Mistakes

I don't like the interface of this software. It is very ugly.
I don't like this software's interface
the buttons are too small.' — Use a possessive or compound noun form ('the software interface') rather than 'interface of'.

2. An area where separate fields, ideas, or groups meet and influence each other.

2.nounB2
Definition

An area where separate fields, ideas, or groups meet and influence each other.

Example

Christopher studied the interface between traditional medicine and modern science during his research.

interface between [field] and [field]; abstract sense

New training programmes are appearing at the interface of business and education.

at the interface of [field] and [field]

Common collocations
  • interface of art and technology
  • interface between cultures
  • at the interface
Synonyms
  • boundary

    implies a dividing line; less about mutual influence than interface

  • intersection

    suggests paths crossing; used more for concrete overlaps

  • meeting point

    more literal; less formal than interface

Antonyms
  • separation

    a state of being apart rather than connected

Usage Note

Typically followed by 'of [A] and [B]' or 'between [A] and [B]'. The subject is usually abstract (fields, groups, systems) rather than physical objects.

Common Mistakes

I am at the interface of my house and the street.
I am at the boundary between my house and the street.
For physical locations, use 'boundary' or 'edge'; 'interface' in this sense is reserved for abstract or conceptual meeting points.

interface — verb

Word family

  • interfacial
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe joining things together, but they differ in formality and range. 'Connect' is the most general and common term — you can connect anything from two wires to the dots in a puzzle. 'Link' suggests a more visible or sequential connection, like linking arms or linking web pages. 'Interface' is more technical and specific: it implies that the two systems are designed to exchange information through a defined point or protocol. 'Hook up' is informal and often used for setting up audio-visual or electronic equipment. 'Integrate' goes a step further — it means combining parts into a unified whole rather than just enabling communication. For example: 'Selim connected the printer to his computer'; 'Hiro hooked up the speakers for the party'; 'The software integrates the billing and inventory systems into one platform.'

connect ↗link ↗hook up ↗integrate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • user interface
  • software interface
  • hardware interface
  • touch interface
  • command-line interface
  • audio interface

Adverbs

Phrases

  • interface with
  • interface between
  • at the interface
  • via an interface

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglishEnglish

The word 'interface' was formed in the 1880s by combining the Latin prefix 'inter-' (meaning 'between') with the English word 'face' (meaning 'surface' or 'front'). It was first used in science to describe the surface between two liquids or physical substances. In the 1960s, the term was adopted in computing to describe the connection between hardware components or between a person and a machine. The abstract sense ('meeting point of two subjects') became popular from the 1970s onward.