Breakaway

/ˈbreɪkəweɪ/

nounIntermediate📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A sudden departure or separation from a group or situation.

/ˈbreɪkəweɪ/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

A sudden escape or separation.

The breakaway group quickly gained a lead.

💡 Simply: A sudden escape.

More Examples

2

The breakaway from the old system was chaotic.

How It's Used

Sports

"The cyclist made a daring breakaway from the peloton."

Politics

"There was a breakaway faction within the party."

2

Sudden and decisive separation.

/ˈbreɪkəweɪ/

adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General

Characterized by a sudden escape or separation.

It was a breakaway moment in the history of the company.

💡 Simply: Describing a sudden escape or separation.

How It's Used

Sports

"The breakaway move secured the victory."

Tip:Describes something characterized by a quick split.

From the verb "break away", combining "break" (to separate) and "away" (indicating direction or separation). It emerged in the late 19th century.

Initially used predominantly in sports contexts, its use expanded into other fields describing any sudden separation.

Memory tip

Think of someone breaking away from a chain.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"The combination of 'break' and 'away' directly conveys the meaning of separation or escape."

breakaway attemptbreakaway groupbreakaway success

Common misspellings

brakewaybreak-away

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written