pause
She took a pause to catch her breath.
She stopped briefly to rest and breathe.
to stop temporarily, especially in speech or action
He paused before answering the difficult question.
He stopped briefly before responding to the challenging question.
Commonly used in both speech and writing to indicate a brief interruption.
a short break or interruption in an activity
The music had a dramatic pause before the final chorus.
There was a brief stop in the music before the last part.
Often used in media, music, and daily routines to describe a momentary halt.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'pause' when you want to describe a brief, intentional stop in an activity or conversation.
Gold Rule
Verb vs. Noun
'Pause' can be both a verb (to stop) and a noun (a stop). Ensure the context matches the intended meaning.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'pausen', from Old French 'poser', from Latin 'pausare' (to stop), from Greek 'pauein' (to stop).
Usage Notes
Can be used as both a verb and a noun. Often used in contexts where a brief interruption is needed, such as in speech, music, or daily activities.