Words / B1

int-uh-RUPT/ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/

To interrupt is to stop someone speaking or something happening for a short time: interrupt a speaker; sorry to interrupt; interrupt the programme. Disturb is more about breaking peace or concentration; cancel stops something completely. Interruption is the noun: without interruption. Do not write “interrupt someone to speak” unnecessarily — interrupt already means break in. Interrupted is the past / adjective. Let me finish is a polite response when interrupted.

Meaning

To stop someone speaking or something happening for a short time.

Examples

• “Please do not interrupt while I am talking.”
• “Sorry to interrupt, but the taxi is waiting.”
• “The match was interrupted by heavy rain.”

Good to know

interrupt + person / event. Noun: interruption. Peace/focus: disturb. Stop completely: cancel. Polite: sorry to interrupt.

Near in meaning

disturb

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