Interrupted
/ˌɪntəˈrʌptɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo break the continuity of an action, process, or state; to stop or hinder.
/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/
To stop the continuous progress of something.
The loud music interrupted my concentration.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're telling a story, and someone suddenly chimes in with a question or comment. That's interrupting! It's like a pause button got pressed on the action.
👶 For kids: To stop something from happening for a little while.
More Examples
The phone call interrupted our dinner.
A loud bang interrupted the silence.
How It's Used
"He interrupted the meeting to announce the good news."
"A power surge interrupted the data transfer."
To break into someone's speech or actions; to speak or act in a way that hinders them.
/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/
To speak or do something that stops someone from speaking or doing something.
Don't interrupt your teacher when she's explaining the lesson.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in a conversation, and someone jumps in before you're finished speaking. That's interrupting! It's like butting into someone's turn.
👶 For kids: To say or do something when someone else is talking.
More Examples
He rudely interrupted her story with his own.
I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's an urgent call for you.
How It's Used
"She often interrupts when others are speaking."
"The senator interrupted the proceedings with a point of order."
Idioms & expressions
interrupted service
Service that has been temporarily stopped.
"We apologize for the interrupted service; we're working to restore it."
interrupt a signal
To interfere with or break up a signal.
"A sudden power surge could interrupt the television signal."
From Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere, meaning 'to break apart.'
The word 'interrupt' and its forms have been used since the 15th century, primarily in legal and formal contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine a road suddenly blocked, halting all traffic.
Word Origin
"to break"