The word "break" has a wide range of meanings, from physical damage to interruptions in activities. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts, and its versatility makes it a common term in everyday speech. Whether it's breaking a habit, breaking a glass, or taking a break at work, the word has evolved to cover various aspects of disruption and cessation.
break in English
- break⇄break (1), verb, brokeor (Archaic)brake,brokenor (Archaic)broke,breaking,noun.
- break⇄break (2), noun.
1. a carriage skeleton used to break in young horses.
2. wagonette. - break⇄expr. break away,
a. to start before the signal.
Ex. The excited horse broke away at a gallop.
b. to escape; pull or run away (from).
Ex. The rabbit broke away from the boy's arms. One of the arrested thieves managed to break aw - break⇄expr. break back, (Cricket.) (of the ball) to turn in from the off side.
Ex. Clean bowled by ..., the ball apparently breaking back (London Daily Telegraph). - break⇄expr. break down,
a. to go out of order; fail to work.
Ex. The car's engine broke down.
b. (Figurative.) to become weak or ill; fail suddenly; collapse.
Ex. His health broke down.
c. to cause to collapse; destroy; overcom - break⇄expr. break in upon, to intrude upon or disturb suddenly.
Ex. The loud noise broke in upon his thoughts. - break⇄expr. break in,
a. to prepare for work or use; train.
Ex. He broke in the new office boy.
b. to make comfortable by wearing.
Ex. to break in a pair of shoes.
c. to enter by force.
Ex. The thieves broke in through th - break⇄expr. break into,
a. to enter by force.
Ex. A robber broke into the house.
b. to begin suddenly.
Ex. He broke into a run.
c. to interrupt.
Ex. He broke into their conversation.
d. (British.) to begin to spend - break⇄expr. break loose,
a. to separate from anything; break a connection or relation.
Ex. The boat broke loose from its mooring.
b. to run away; free oneself.
Ex. The man broke loose from prison.
c. (Slang.) to go on a spree. - break⇄expr. break off,
a. (Figurative.) to stop suddenly.
Ex. He broke off in the middle of his speech to clear his throat.
b. (Figurative.) to stop being friends.
Ex. She broke off with her old classmates when she went away to colleg - break⇄expr. break out,
a(1). to start or spring up suddenly.
Ex. A fire broke out in the boiler house. A rash breaks out when he eats strawberries.
(2). to have pimples or a rash on the skin.
Ex. The child broke out with measles.break⇄expr. break up, (Informal.)
a. to scatter.
Ex. The fog is breaking up.
b. (Figurative.) to put an end to; stop.
Ex. The boy scouts broke up the meeting early.
c. (Figurative.) to disturb greatly; upset.
Ex. The newsbreak⇄expr. break with,
a. to stop being friends with.
Ex. He broke with me after our fight.
b. to sever a connection with.
Ex. to break with the past.break⇄noun 1. a broken place; gap; crack.
Ex. a break in the wall.
2. the act of breaking; fracture, rupture, or shattering.
3. the act or process of forcing one's way out.
Ex. The prisoners made a break for freedom.
4a. a suddbreak⇄v.i. 1. to come apart; crack; burst.
Ex. The plate broke when it fell on the floor.
(SYN) split, splinter.
2. to force one's way.
Ex. The man broke out of prison. The police broke through the crowd. (Figurative.) Our friendlinesbreak⇄v.t. 1. to cause to come to pieces by a blow or pull.
Ex. He broke the window with a rock.
2. to destroy the evenness, wholeness, regularity, or arrangement of.
Ex. to break a five-dollar bill, break step, break ranks, (Figurative.) to
break in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
Break
Part of Speech
Verb, Noun
Pronunciation
/breɪk/
Definitions
- Verb: To separate into pieces by force.
- Verb: To interrupt or cause to stop temporarily (e.g., a break in conversation).
- Verb: To breach or violate a law or agreement.
- Noun: A pause or interruption in activity or continuity.
- Noun: A fracture or crack in something.
Usage Examples
- He accidentally broke the vase while cleaning.
- Let's take a break and grab some coffee.
- She broke the news to him gently.
- The glass broke into tiny pieces.
- There was a break in the meeting for lunch.
Etymology
The word "break" comes from the Old English "brecan," meaning "to shatter, destroy, or separate into parts." It has evolved over time to also encompass the meaning of interrupting or pausing activities.
Synonyms
- Shatter
- Crack
- Interrupt
- Disrupt
- Pause
Antonyms
- Fix
- Repair
- Continue
- Keep
- Maintain
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | टूटना (Tootna) | Too-tna |
| Spanish | Romper | Rohm-per |
| French | Casser | Ka-say |
| German | Brechen | Bray-chen |
| Mandarin | 打破 (Dǎpò) | Dah-poh |
| Italian | Rompere | Rohm-peh-ray |
| Russian | Ломать (Lomat') | Loh-mat' |
| Arabic | كسر (Kasar) | Ka-sar |
| Japanese | 壊す (Kowasu) | Ko-wah-su |
| Korean | 깨다 (Kkaeda) | Kkae-da |
| Portuguese | Quebrar | Ke-brahr |
| Swahili | Kuvunja | Ku-vun-ja |
| Punjabi | ਤੋੜਨਾ (Todna) | Toad-na |
| Bengali | ভাঙা (Bhanga) | Bha-nga |
| Telugu | కడగటం (Kadagatam) | Ka-da-ga-tam |
| Kannada | ಚೂರಿಕೊಡು (Churikoḍu) | Choori-ko-doo |
| Marathi | तोडणे (Todne) | Toad-ne |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "break" may vary based on accents, particularly between British and American English, where in British English, it is pronounced more sharply as /brɛk/, while in American English, it often sounds like /breɪk/.
Historical Usage
The verb "break" has been used since Old English, denoting the action of splitting or shattering something. It has also been used in a more figurative sense since the 14th century, such as in the context of breaking an agreement or a law.
Cultural Nuances
The idea of taking a break has become an important cultural concept in modern times, especially in the workplace, where breaks are encouraged for productivity. The phrase "break time" is synonymous with relaxation and recuperation in many cultures.