interrupt
ihn-tuh-RUHPT
Interrupt (verb) means to break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action. Example: “Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone.”
verb
1
To break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action.
"Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone."
"A power cut interrupted the broadcast halfway through."
"Sorry to interrupt, but your taxi has just arrived outside."
noun
1
Computing: a signal that makes a computer pause its current task to deal with something more urgent.
"The keyboard sends an interrupt to the processor every time a key is pressed."
"The operating system handles each interrupt before returning to the program."
"A timer can generate an interrupt every few milliseconds."
How to use interrupt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break into something that is happening or being said.
Common mistake
It's considered rude in most contexts to interrupt someone mid-sentence — pair with "Sorry to interrupt" when you must.
Common pairings
interrupt a conversation
sorry to interrupt
interrupt someone
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Word forms
- Plural
- interrupts
- Third person singular
- interrupts
- Past tense
- interrupted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please don't _____ me while I'm on the phone.
Etymology
From Latin interrumpere, "to break apart," from inter- ("between") plus rumpere ("to break").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “interrupt” mean?
The word “interrupt” means to break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action. In plain terms, to break into something that is happening or being said.
How do you pronounce “interrupt”?
“Interrupt” is pronounced ihn-tuh-RUHPT (/ˌɪntəˈɹʌpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “interrupt” in a sentence?
Here is “interrupt” used in a sentence: “Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone.”
What is another word for “interrupt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “interrupt” include interject.
What is the opposite of “interrupt”?
The opposite of “interrupt” — its antonyms — are continue and resume.
What part of speech is “interrupt”?
Depending on how it is used, “interrupt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “interrupt” come from?
The word “interrupt” comes from Latin. From Latin interrumpere, "to break apart," from inter- ("between") plus rumpere ("to break").
Is “interrupt” a common word?
“Interrupt” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between interrupt and interject?
Interrupt means to break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action, often stopping it entirely for a moment, while interject usually means to insert a brief remark or comment, sometimes without fully stopping the flow of conversation. Interject can feel less disruptive than interrupt, though both involve breaking into speech.
What does interrupt mean in computing?
In computing, an interrupt is a signal that makes a computer pause its current task to deal with something more urgent, such as input from a keyboard or a hardware error. Once the more urgent task is handled, the computer typically resumes what it was doing before the interrupt occurred.
Is it rude to interrupt someone in conversation?
Interrupting is generally considered impolite in most conversational contexts because it breaks in on someone before they finish speaking, though norms vary by culture and situation, such as fast-paced debates or urgent emergencies where interrupting may be necessary or expected.
