English Dictionary

Definition of “abrupt

abrupt (əˈbrʌptPronunciation for abrupt

Definitions

adjective

  1. sudden; unexpected
  2. brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt
  3. (of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected
  4. precipitous; steep
  5. botany shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate
  6. geology (of strata) cropping out suddenly

Alternative Forms

abˈruptly adverb abˈruptness noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin abruptus  broken off, from ab-C16: from Latin broken off, from 1 + to break + rumpere to break

Translations

  • British English: abrupt Pronunciation for abrupt An abrupt action is very sudden and often unpleasant.Her holiday came to an abrupt end when she broke her foot.əˈbrʌpt ADJECTIVE Her holiday came to an abrupt end when she broke her foot.
  • Spanish: abrupto Pronunciation for abrupto adj abrupta
  • French: abrupt Pronunciation for abrupt adj
  • German: abrupt Pronunciation for abrupt adj
  • Chinese: 突然Pronunciation for 突然 adj
  • Arabic: مُفاجِئPronunciation for مُفاجِئ adj
  • Portuguese: repentinoPronunciation for repentino adj repentina
  • Russian: внезапныйPronunciation for внезапный adj внезапная
  • Croatian: nagaoPronunciation for nagao adj nagla
  • Czech: náhlýPronunciation for náhlý adj
  • Danish: bratPronunciation for brat adj
  • Dutch: abruptPronunciation for abrupt adj
  • Finnish: äkkinäinenPronunciation for äkkinäinen adj
  • Greek: αιφνίδιοςPronunciation for αιφνίδιος adj αιφνίδια
  • Italian: improvvisoPronunciation for improvviso adj improvvisa
  • Japanese: 不意のPronunciation for 不意の no_posp
  • Korean: 갑작스러운Pronunciation for 갑작스러운 adj
  • Norwegian: bråPronunciation for brå adj brått
  • Polish: nagłyPronunciation for nagły adj nagła
  • Brazilian Portuguese: repentinoPronunciation for repentino adj repentina
  • European Spanish: abrupto Pronunciation for abrupto adj abrupta
  • Swedish: abrubtPronunciation for abrubt adj
  • Thai: ทันทีทันใดPronunciation for ทันทีทันใด adv
  • Turkish: aniPronunciation for ani
  • Vietnamese: đột ngộtPronunciation for đột ngột adj

Usage examples

  • Again the abrupt change in conversation caught Marlette by surprise.
    MacNeill, Alastair, The Devil's Door (1994)
  • Plus, in patients who switch from natural to human the onset of hypoglycemia is more abrupt.
    India Today (2002)
  • "What followed was an abrupt history lesson from a riled Col. By buff, who set the record straight for the girls.
    Ottawa Sun (2003)
  • Each chorus was a hard blast of sound which ended in an abrupt , spine-tingling silence.
    Independent (1998)
  • Women who undergo hysterectomy, however, may experience abrupt loss of oestrogen.
    Hufnagel, Dr Vicki & Golant, Susan K, No More Hysterectomies (1990)

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