in ‧ ter ‧ rupt /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ interrupt ; noun : ↑ interruption ; adverb : ↑ uninterruptedly ; adjective : ↑ uninterrupted ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of interrumpere , from rumpere 'to break' ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing what they are saying or doing by suddenly speaking to them, making a noise etc:
Will you stop interrupting me!
Sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask you to come downstairs.
2 . [transitive] to make a process or activity stop temporarily:
My studies were interrupted by the war.
3 . [transitive] if something interrupts a line, surface, view etc, it stops it from being continuous
—interruption /-ˈrʌpʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable and countable] :
We can talk here without interruption.
HINT : ► Do not use interruption to mean a short period when students or workers can stop working and relax. Use break : Between the two classes there is a 15-minute break.
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THESAURUS
■ when someone is speakng
▪ interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing speaking:
She interrupted him to ask exactly how he had broken his ankle.
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Oliver began his story but was soon interrupted by the arrival of Mr Gosling.
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I wish you wouldn’t interrupt all the time.
▪ butt in [intransitive] to rudely start speaking when someone is already speaking:
Will you please stop butting in!
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Steve kept butting in with silly comments.
▪ cut somebody off/cut somebody short [intransitive] to prevent someone from finishing what they are saying:
He slammed down the phone and cut her off in mid-sentence.
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Bob began to speak but Donna cut him short.
▪ heckle [intransitive and transitive] to deliberately interrupt a speaker or performer by shouting, especially to show that you do not agree with what they are saying:
Comedians are used to dealing with members of the audience who heckle.
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The speaker was heckled by a group of protesters.
▪ chip in [intransitive] to interrupt a conversation or discussion by adding comments, especially helpful or useful ones:
Feel free to chip in if you have any comments to make.
■ when someone is doing something
▪ interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing to do something:
Miss Danziger apologised for interrupting their enjoyment of their meal.
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My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.
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His interview was interrupted by a call from the President.
▪ disturb to interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep etc:
The sign on the door said ‘Do not disturb. Meeting in progress’.
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I hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you want me to come back later?
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Her sleep was disturbed by a violent hammering on the door.
▪ bother to interrupt someone, especially by asking questions when they are trying to do something else:
‘I’m very sorry to bother you,’ Jackson said smoothly, ‘but I’d like a few minutes of your time.’
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You mustn’t bother him - he’s working on his essay.