Abruptly
/əˈbrʌptli/
adverbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Without warning or gentleness; suddenly
/əˈbrʌptli/
adverbneutralBeginner
General
In a sudden and unexpected way
The meeting was abruptly canceled.
💡 Simply: Very quickly and without warning
More Examples
2
She abruptly stood up and walked away.
How It's Used
General
"The music stopped abruptly, leaving us in an uncomfortable silence."
From Middle English *abruptly*, from Old French *abrupt*, from Latin *abruptus* meaning 'broken off'.
In older texts, 'abruptly' was sometimes used to describe something that was unexpectedly harsh or severe.
Memory tip
Abruptly = Abrupt = Broken off
Practice
abruptllyabruptliyapbrruptly
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written