abrupt

Intermediatezipf 3.38

Pronunciation

/əˈbrʌpt/(uh-BRUPT)

Part of speech

adjectiveneutral

Chinese

① 突然的；意外的 ② 唐突的；生硬的（说话方式）

Definition

(1) Sudden and unexpected. (2) Brief and unfriendly in speech or manner.

Word family

  • abruptly/əˈbrʌptli/(adv)突然地
  • abruptness/əˈbrʌptnəs/(n)突然

Collocations

  • abrupt change
  • abrupt end
  • abrupt departure
  • abrupt manner

Examples

  1. 1.The meeting came to an abrupt end when the fire alarm went off. (sudden)
  2. 2.She was quite abrupt with me on the phone. (rude, curt)

Synonyms

  • sudden/ˈsʌdn/— unexpected, neutral
  • curt/kɜːt/— rudely brief, sense 2
  • brusque/brʊsk/— blunt in manner, sense 2

Etymology

ab- (off) + rumpere (to break) — broken off suddenly