interrupt

in-ter-rupt · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To stop someone from speaking by saying or doing something.

  2. 2.

    To stop a process or activity temporarily.

  3. 3.

    To break the continuity of something.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    interrupt someone — To stop someone while they are speaking
  • •
    sorry to interrupt — A polite phrase used when cutting in on a conversation
  • •
    without interruption — Continuously, without being stopped

Related words

Antonyms: continue, resume
See also: interrupted, interrupting, interruption
Synonyms: break in, cut off, disturb, intrude

Etymology

From Latin interrumpere ("to break apart"), from inter ("between") + rumpere ("to break").