cease
Cease (verb) means to stop happening or existing; to come to an end. Example: “The rain finally ceased just before dawn.”
How to use cease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop — used for things ending or people stopping an action.
More formal than "stop"; common in official notices ("cease and desist"), legal language, and writing, less so in casual speech.
Word forms
ceased past tense, cease plural, ceased plural, Ceases plural, ceases singular, cease singular, ceased singular, ceasest singular, ceasedst singular, ceaseth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rain finally _____ just before dawn.
Etymology
From Middle English cesen, borrowed via Old French cesser from Latin cessare ("to leave off, delay"), a frequent form of cedere ("to go away, withdraw"). Related to "cessation" and "recede."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cease
See all rhymes for cease →Frequently asked questions
What does “cease” mean?
The word “cease” means to stop happening or existing; to come to an end. In plain terms, to stop — used for things ending or people stopping an action.
How do you pronounce “cease”?
“Cease” is pronounced sees (/sis/ in IPA).
How do you use “cease” in a sentence?
Here is “cease” used in a sentence: “The rain finally ceased just before dawn.”
What part of speech is “cease”?
“Cease” is a verb.
Where does the word “cease” come from?
The word “cease” comes from Latin. From Middle English cesen, borrowed via Old French cesser from Latin cessare ("to leave off, delay"), a frequent form of cedere ("to go away, withdraw"). Related to "cessation" and "recede.".
Is “cease” a common word?
“Cease” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cease” have?
“Cease” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop happening or existing; to come to an end.
What is the difference between "cease" and "stop"?
They share the core meaning "to bring or come to an end," but "cease" is distinctly formal and appears mainly in official, legal, and literary contexts, while "stop" is the neutral everyday word. "Cease" also tends to suggest a complete or permanent end rather than a pause.
Is it "cease to do" or "cease doing" something?
Both constructions are grammatical. "Cease doing" is usual for activities that stop, as in "the company ceased trading," while "cease to" is common with states and in more rhetorical phrasing, as in "it never ceases to amaze me" or "ceased to exist." In everyday speech, "stop doing" is far more natural than either.
What is a ceasefire?
A ceasefire is an agreed stop to fighting between opposing forces, usually as a step toward negotiation or peace. The word combines "cease" in its sense of "stop doing something" with "fire" meaning the shooting of weapons. A ceasefire can be temporary and local or a formal, lasting arrangement.