interface

inter·face
I1N1T1E1R1F4A1C3E1
UK/ˈɪntəfeɪs/US/ˈɪn(t)ɚˌfeɪs/

noun

The point of interconnection or contact between entities.

“The surface of a lake is a water-air interface.”

Similar
user interfaceport
OriginEnglish face ← Middle English face ← Old French face →
Very commonScrabble 14
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nouninterface (plural interfaces)

plural interfaces

  1. The point of interconnection or contact between entities.

    Public relations firms often serve as the interface between a company and the press.

  2. chemistryA thin layer or boundary between different substances or two phases of a single substance.

    The surface of a lake is a water-air interface.

    1 more example

    If water and oil are mixed together, they tend to separate, and at equilibrium they are in different strata with an oil-water interface in between.

  3. computingThe point of interconnection between systems or subsystems.

    The data is sent over the air interface to the remote system.

  4. computingThe connection between a user and a machine.

    The options are selected via the user interface.

  5. object-oriented programmingThe connection between parts of software; also the public or published sections of an object or module.

    This interface is implemented by several Java classes.

    1 more example

    Traits are somewhat between an interface and a mixin, as an interface contains only method signatures, while a trait includes also the full method definitions; on the other side mixins include method definitions, but they can also carry state through attributes, while traits usually don't.

  6. object-oriented programmingIn object-oriented programming, a piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement.

    The Audio and Video classes both implement the IPlayable interface.

  7. object-oriented programmingIn some languages, a block of code declaring the interface (point of interconnection) between a class and code that interacts with it.
  8. biochemistryThe internal surface of a coiled protein (compare exoface).
verbinterface (third-person singular simple present interfaces, present participle interfacing, simple past and past participle interfaced)

present singular third person interfaces · participle present interfacing · participle past interfaced · past interfaced

  1. transitiveTo construct an interface for.
  2. ambitransitiveTo connect through an interface.
  3. intransitiveTo serve as an interface.
  4. intransitivebusinessTo meet for discussion.

    Let's interface on Wednesday.

Synonyms & antonyms

noun(computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system

Similar
user interface
Broader
programprogrammecomputer program

noun(computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)

Similar
port
Broader
computer circuit
Also see
interphaseportprotocoluser interface

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₁én
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₁n̥tér
  3. Proto-Italic*n̥ter
  4. Latininter
  5. Latininter-
  6. Englishinter-
  7. Proto-Indo-European*dʰeh₁-
  8. Proto-Indo-European*dʰeh₁k-
  9. Proto-Indo-European*dʰh₁kyéti
  10. Proto-Italic*θakjō
  11. Proto-Italic*fakjō
  12. Latinfaciō
  13. Latinfaciēs
  14. Late Latinfacia
  15. Old Frenchface
  16. Middle Englishface
  17. Englishface
  18. Englishinterface

From inter- (“between”) + face (“shape, figure, form”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Afrikaans koppelvlak
  • koppelvlakcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
Arabic واجِهَة, تَعْشِيق
  • واجِهَة (wājiha)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • تَعْشِيق (taʕšīq)point of interconnection between entities
  • وَاجِهَة (wājiha)point of interconnection between entities
Basque interfaze, interfaze
  • interfazecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfazecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfazecomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • interfazecomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
Bulgarian фа́зова гра́ница, и́нтерфейс
  • фа́зова гра́ница (fázova gránica)chemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • и́нтерфейс (ínterfejs)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • и́нтерфейс (ínterfejs)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • и́нтерфейс (ínterfejs)computing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • и́нтерфейс (ínterfejs)computing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • и́нтерфейс (ínterfejs)point of interconnection between entities
Catalan interfície
  • interfíciecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
Chinese Mandarin 接口, 界面
  • 接口 (jiēkǒu)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • 界面 (jièmiàn)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • 接口 (jiēkǒu)point of interconnection between entities
Czech rozhraní, rozhraní
  • rozhranícomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • rozhranícomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • rozhranícomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • rozhranípoint of interconnection between entities
  • styčná plochapoint of interconnection between entities
Danish grænseflade, grænseflade
  • grænsefladechemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • grænsefladecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • brugergrænsefladecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Dutch interface, koppelvlak
  • interfacecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • koppelvlakcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfacecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfacecomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • koppelingpoint of interconnection between entities
  • aansluitingpoint of interconnection between entities
  • raakpuntpoint of interconnection between entities
Esperanto limfaco, interfaco
  • limfacochemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfacopoint of interconnection between entities
Estonian liidestus
  • liidestuscomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
Finnish rajapinta, rajapinta
  • rajapintachemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • rajapintacomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • yhteyscomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • käyttöliittymäcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • käyttäjäliittymäcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • rajapintacomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • rajapintacomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • liittymäkohtapoint of interconnection between entities
  • rajapintapoint of interconnection between entities
  • yhtymäkohtapoint of interconnection between entities
  • yhdistää rajapinnan kauttatransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • toimia rajapintanaintransitive: to be an interface; be into an interface
French interface, interface
  • interfacechemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfacecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfacecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfacecomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • interfacecomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • interfacepoint of interconnection between entities
German Grenzfläche, Schnittstelle
  • Grenzflächechemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • Schnittstellecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • Schnittstellecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • Schnittstellecomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • Schnittstellecomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • Schnittstellepoint of interconnection between entities
Greek διεπιφάνεια, διεπαφή
  • διεπιφάνεια (diepifáneia)chemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • διεπαφή (diepafí)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • διεπαφή (diepafí)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • διεπαφή (diepafí)point of interconnection between entities
  • διεπιφάνεια (diepifáneia)point of interconnection between entities
  • φέρω σε διεπαφή (féro se diepafí)transitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • διεφάπτω (diefápto)transitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • έχω διεπαφή με (écho diepafí me)intransitive: to be an interface; be into an interface
  • διεφάπτομαι με (diefáptomai me)intransitive: to be an interface; be into an interface
Hebrew מִמְשָׁק, מִמְשָׁק
  • מִמְשָׁק (mimshák)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • מִמְשָׁק (mimshák)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • מִמְשָׁק (mimshák)computing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • מִמְשָׁק (mimshák)computing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
Hindi इंटरफ़ेस, इंटरफ़ेस
  • इंटरफ़ेस (iṇṭarfes)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • इंटरफ़ेस (iṇṭarfes)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • राब्ता (rābtā)point of interconnection between entities
  • वास्ता (vāstā)point of interconnection between entities
Hungarian fázishatár, határfelület
  • fázishatárchemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • határfelületchemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfészcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • felületcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • felhasználói felületcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • határfelületpoint of interconnection between entities
  • illesztőegységpoint of interconnection between entities
Icelandic viðmót
  • viðmótcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Indonesian antarmuka, antarmuka
  • antarmukachemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • antarmukacomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • antarmukacomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Italian interfaccia, interfacciare
  • interfacciachemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfacciaretransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • interfacciarsiintransitive: to be an interface; be into an interface
Japanese インターフェース, インターフェース
  • インターフェース (intāfēsu)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • インターフェース (intāfēsu)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • インターフェース (intāfēsu)point of interconnection between entities
Korean 인터페이스, 인터페이스
  • 인터페이스 (inteopeiseu)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • 인터페이스 (inteopeiseu)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • 인터페이스 (inteopeiseu)point of interconnection between entities
Latin interfacies, interfacies
  • interfaciescomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfaciescomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Latvian interfeiss, saskarne
  • interfeisscomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • saskarnecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Lithuanian interfeisas
  • interfeisascomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
Malay antara muka, antara muka
  • antara mukachemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • antara mukacomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • antara mukacomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • antara mukapoint of interconnection between entities
  • mengantaramukakantransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
Māori matawehe, arotuki
  • matawehechemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • arotukipoint of interconnection between entities
Norwegian Bokmål grensesnitt, grensesnitt
  • grensesnittcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • grensesnittpoint of interconnection between entities
Persian ربطال, ربطال
  • ربطالcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • ربطالcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • ربطالcomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • ربطالcomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • رابط (râbet)point of interconnection between entities
  • واسط (vâset)point of interconnection between entities
Polish granica międzyfazowa, interfejs
  • granica międzyfazowachemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfejscomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • powłokacomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfejscomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • międzymordziecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfejscomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • międzymordziecomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • interfejscomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • międzymordziecomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • stykpoint of interconnection between entities
  • sprzęgaćtransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • sprząctransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • łączyćtransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • złączyćtransitive: to construct an interface; connect through an interface
  • pośredniczyćintransitive: to be an interface; be into an interface
Portuguese interface, interface
  • interfacecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfacecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfacecomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • interfacecomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • interfacepoint of interconnection between entities
Romanian suprafață de separare, interfață
  • suprafață de separarechemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfațăcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfațăcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfațăcomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • interfațăpoint of interconnection between entities
Russian интерфе́йс, интерфе́йс
  • интерфе́йс (intɛrféjs)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • интерфе́йс (intɛrféjs)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • интерфе́йс (intɛrféjs)computing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • интерфе́йс (intɛrféjs)point of interconnection between entities
Scottish Gaelic eadar-aghaidh, eadar-aghaidh
  • eadar-aghaidhcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • eadar-aghaidhcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • eadar-aghaidhcomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • eadar-aghaidhcomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
Slovak rozhranie, rozhranie
  • rozhraniecomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • rozhraniecomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Spanish interfase, interfaz
  • interfasechemistry, physics: thin layer or boundary between different substances, or phases of a single substance
  • interfazcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • interfazcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • interfazcomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • interfazcomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • interfazpoint of interconnection between entities
Swedish gränssnitt, gränssnitt
  • gränssnittcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • gränssnittcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • gränssnittcomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • gränssnittpoint of interconnection between entities
  • beröringspunktpoint of interconnection between entities
Turkish arayüz, arayüz
  • arayüzcomputing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • arayüzcomputing: connection between a user and a machine
  • arayüzcomputing, object-oriented: connection between parts of software
  • arayüzcomputing, object-oriented: piece of code defining a set of operations that other code must implement
  • arayüzpoint of interconnection between entities
Ukrainian інтерфе́йс, інтерфе́йс
  • інтерфе́йс (interféjs)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
  • інтерфе́йс (interféjs)computing: connection between a user and a machine
  • інтерфе́йс (interféjs)point of interconnection between entities
Urdu انٹرفیس
  • انٹرفیس (inṭarfes)computing: point of interconnection between systems or subsystems
Vietnamese giao diện
  • giao diệncomputing: connection between a user and a machine
Welsh rhyngwyneb
  • rhyngwynebpoint of interconnection between entities
Cite this entry
APA

interface. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interface

MLA

“interface.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interface. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “interface,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/interface.

Source: interface on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.