Basic Details
Word: Interrupt
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To stop someone while they are speaking or doing something, or to break the flow of an activity.
Synonyms: disturb, cut in, break in, disrupt
Antonyms: continue
How to Spell Interrupt
Syllables: in - ter - rupt
Tricky part: The rr is easy to lose because we hear only one r sound. The word ends in pt, so do not swap the t for a d.
Watch out for: interupt, interrupd, enterupt
Memory tip: Think of a volcano: it erupts, and rupt means burst. Put inter in front, keep both r's, and you burst in between.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Please do not interrupt your sister while she is on the phone.
Example 2: A power cut interrupted the cricket telecast in the final over.
Example 3: Heavy rain interrupted work on the new metro line.
Fun Fact
In computing, an interrupt is a signal that makes the processor pause what it is doing to deal with something urgent, such as a key being pressed.
Practise the CREST Way
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Do not ptuerrnit while your grandfather is telling a story.
a) interpret
b) intercept
c) interest
d) interrupt
Show answer
d) interrupt. A u in the jumble rules out the other three, and breaking into a story is interrupting.
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to interrupt as used in the sentence:
The music teacher asked us not to interrupt the rehearsal once the choir had started singing.
a) disturb
b) continue
c) enjoy
d) attend
Show answer
a) disturb. To interrupt the rehearsal is to disturb it; continue means the opposite.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. erupt 2. corrupt 3. interupt 4. abrupt
a) to break in while someone is speaking
b) willing to act dishonestly for money or gain
c) sudden and unexpected
d) to burst out suddenly
Show answer
a) to break in while someone is speaking. All four words share rupt, but interrupt needs a second r where inter meets it.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Someone who keeps interrupting in a meeting ____.
a) arrives very early every time
b) takes careful notes of everything
c) keeps cutting in while others speak
d) never says a single word
Show answer
c) keeps cutting in while others speak
2. A break in a TV programme for advertisements is an ____.
a) introduction
b) interruption
c) invitation
d) instruction
Show answer
b) interruption
