3 syllables: in, ter, rupt. Stress on rupt.
/ˌɪntɚˈʌpt/
Say it backinterrupt (v.) to stop a speaker or process briefly by breaking in with a remark or action; to hinder the progress of something by forcing a stop or disruption. It implies a sudden or undesired interjection that interrupts flow, order, or continuity. In varied contexts, it can mean interrupting a conversation, a signal in a device, or an event in progress, often with a sense of intrusion or cessation of continuity.
"She attempted to finish her sentence, but he interrupted her with a question."
"The power outage interrupted the presentation halfway through."
"Stormy weather interrupted the game for an hour."
Interrupt is pronounced with three syllables: in-TURR-upt. In US/ rhotic speech, the /ɪ/ is a short vowel, the primary stress falls on the second syllable /ˈtɜːr/ or /ˈtɜr/ depending on accent, followed by /ə/ in the second syllable and a final /pt/ cluster. Practical cue: think in-TUR-upt with the /r/ slightly vocalized before the /t/. Listen to native examples and match the rhythm: little pause before the stressed syllable, then brisk final consonant cluster.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the middle /r/ or misplacing stress, producing in-'tuh-upt. 2) Slackening the /t/ at the end or turning /pt/ into /p/ or /t/. 3) Substituting /ɪ/ with a lax /ɪə/ or mispronouncing /ɜːr/ as /ɜr/ in non-rhotic accents. Corrections: practice the three-part sequence in-TURR-upt, keeping the middle rhotic vowel tight but not overly rolled, and finish with a crisp /pt/ cluster by releasing the /p/ into the /t/ quickly.
In US English, /ɪnˈtɜːrʌpt/ with rhotic /r/ in American accents; stress on the second syllable. In UK English, /ˌɪn.təˈrʌpt/ with a non-rhotic or weaker rhotic realization, and a lighter second syllable, often /təˈrʌpt/. Australian English follows a variety close to UK but with more American-like rhoticity in some speakers, sometimes /ɪnˈtʌːrʌpt/ depending on region and speaker. The key is the /ˈrʌpt/ ending and the mid vowel quality; listening for the subtle vowel before the final /pt/ helps distinguish accents.
The difficulty centers on the final consonant cluster -pt after a stressed central syllable, requiring a rapid release from /p/ to /t/ within a short window, and the mid syllable vowel that can drift toward /ɜː/ or /tə/. Also the /ɪ/ in the initial syllable and the /ɹ/ placement in rhotic accents demand precise tongue shaping. In non-rhotic variants, the /r/ may be less prominent, shifting your timing slightly. Focus on the three-part rhythm and crisp final consonant.
There are no silent letters in interrupt; all letters participate in pronunciation. Stress is fixed on the second syllable: in-TURR-upt. The most noticeable feature is the /r/ following the stressed vowel in American pronunciation and the abrupt /pt/ closure at the end. If you’re unsure, practice the triplet sequence in-TUR-upt with a silent cue followed by a fast final release to train your muscle memory.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "interrupt"!
interrupt comes from the Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere, formed from inter- ‘between’ + rumpere ‘to break’. The word entered English in the late 16th century, originally in legal and rhetorical contexts, denoting breaking in or interrupting an argument. Over time, its use broadened to include any act of breaking the flow of conversation, procedure, or activity. The semantic shift tracks with other interrupt- verbs that plus a preposition or object (interrupt someone, interrupt the process, interrupt a signal). The root rumpere is preserved across Romance languages (French interrompre, Spanish interrumpir), all implying a break or rupture, often with a sense of force or intrusion. By the 18th–19th centuries, ‘interrupt’ commonly described interruptions in speech and events, and in modern usage it spans technology (interrupt a process), discourse (interrupt someone mid-sentence), and everyday life, retaining the core sense of breaking the ongoing sequence. First known English attestations appear in formal writings describing disruptions in debates and legal proceedings, with increasing colloquial use as interpersonal communication norms evolved.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "interrupt" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "interrupt" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "interrupt" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "interrupt"
-uct sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
