Stopped
/stɒpt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo bring or come to an end; to cease motion, operation, or activity.
/stɒpt/
To cease movement or progress.
The train stopped at every station.
💡 Simply: When something stops, it's like hitting the pause button on life! Think of stopping your bike at a red light, or when a song stops playing.
👶 For kids: To stop means to not move anymore!
More Examples
She stopped talking when she saw him enter the room.
The rain finally stopped after three days.
How It's Used
"The car stopped at the red light."
"The police officer stopped the vehicle for speeding."
To obstruct, check, or restrain; to prevent from continuing.
/stɒpt/
To prevent something from happening or continuing.
The security guard stopped the thief.
💡 Simply: Stopping something can be like a roadblock. If you stop someone from doing something, they can’t do it. Imagine stopping your little brother from eating all the cookies.
👶 For kids: To stop something is to make it not happen!
More Examples
We tried to stop the spread of the disease.
They stopped the demolition of the historic building.
How It's Used
"The mediator tried to stop the argument."
"The goalie stopped the shot."
An instance of stopping or ceasing movement or action; a pause.
/stɒp/
A cessation of movement or progress.
The bus made a quick stop to pick up passengers.
💡 Simply: A stop is like a temporary break. It could be a stop on a road trip to eat lunch, or a stop on a train line to let people get off.
👶 For kids: A stop is when something has a little break or rests.
More Examples
They made a stop at the gas station to refuel.
The unexpected stop caused a delay in our schedule.
How It's Used
"There was a brief stop at the grocery store."
"The train made several stops on its route."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
stop at nothing
To be willing to do anything to achieve a goal.
"She will stop at nothing to win the competition."
stop dead in your tracks
To suddenly stop moving or doing something, usually due to shock or surprise.
"He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her."
stop someone in their tracks
To cause someone to suddenly stop doing something.
"The sudden question stopped him in his tracks."
put a stop to
To end or prevent something.
"The government is trying to put a stop to the spread of misinformation."
From Middle English stoppen, from Old English *stoppian (implied by *stoppung, 'stopping'), from Proto-Germanic *stuppōną, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewp- ('to stamp, push, stop').
Used extensively since the Old English period, it's undergone relatively few semantic changes. The primary sense has consistently related to halting movement or activity.
Memory tip
Imagine putting your hand up to signal "stop" to prevent an object from moving forward.
Word Origin
"to stamp, push, or stop"