adj

abrupt

uh-BRUHPT

adj

Happening suddenly and without warning.

"The meeting came to an abrupt end when the fire alarm sounded."

"His departure from the company was abrupt."

Blunt or curt in manner, verging on rude.

"Her abrupt reply left him wondering what he'd done wrong."

Very steep, as if broken off sharply.

"The path ended at an abrupt drop into the ravine."

How to Use Abrupt

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSudden and unexpected — whether it's an ending, a steep drop, or someone's curt tone of voice.

Easily confused with

corrupt → abrasive →

Common pairings

abrupt end abrupt change abrupt manner

Word Forms

more abrupt comparative, abrupter comparative, abrupted past tense, abrupts plural, abrupts singular, most abrupt superlative, abruptest superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The meeting came to an _____ end when the fire alarm sounded.

Etymology

From Latin abruptus, "broken off," the past participle of abrumpo — formed from ab ("away") plus rumpo ("to break"), the same root as "rupture" and "erupt."