pause
Pause (verb) means to stop something briefly, intending to continue later. Example: “She paused the film to answer the door.”
How to use pause
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA temporary stop, or to make one.
Word forms
paused past tense, Pauses plural, pauses singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the film to answer the door.
Etymology
From Latin pausa, itself from Greek pausis ("stopping"), related to the verb pauein ("to stop").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pause
See all rhymes for pause →Frequently asked questions
What does “pause” mean?
The word “pause” means to stop something briefly, intending to continue later. In plain terms, a temporary stop, or to make one.
How do you pronounce “pause”?
“Pause” is pronounced pawz (/pɔːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “pause” in a sentence?
Here is “pause” used in a sentence: “She paused the film to answer the door.”
What part of speech is “pause”?
Depending on how it is used, “pause” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “pause” come from?
The word “pause” comes from Latin. From Latin pausa, itself from Greek pausis ("stopping"), related to the verb pauein ("to stop").
Is “pause” a common word?
“Pause” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pause” have?
“Pause” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stop something briefly, intending to continue later.
What is the difference between "pause" and "stop"?
To pause is to stop something briefly with the intention of continuing later, while to stop can mean ending it altogether. That is why media players have separate pause and stop buttons: pause holds your place, stop ends playback.
What is the difference between a "pause" and a "break"?
A pause is a very short halt in an activity, often only moments long, while a break is usually a longer, planned interruption taken for rest, such as a lunch break. You pause mid-sentence; you take a break from work.
Are "pause" and "paws" pronounced the same?
Yes — "pause" and "paws" are homophones in most accents of English. Context makes the meaning clear: a pause is a short halt in an activity, while paws are animals' feet, so mixing them up is purely a spelling slip.