How to pronounce interrupt
Say it like in-tuh-RUHPT. Interrupt has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RUHPT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce interrupt. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- tuh
- RUHPT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Interrupt pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RUHPTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of interrupt
American and British speakers say interrupt in essentially the same way: /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ in the US and /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-tuh-RUHPT.
What does interrupt mean?
- make a break in“We interrupt the program for the following messages”
- destroy the peace or tranquility of“Don't interrupt me when I'm reading”
- interfere in someone else's activity“Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone”
- a signal that temporarily stops the execution of a program so that another procedure can be carried out
Where does interrupt come from?
From Middle English interrupten, derived from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere (“to break apart/off, interrupt”), from inter (“between”) + rumpere (“to break”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with interrupt
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of interrupt.
Questions about saying interrupt
How do you pronounce interrupt?
Say in-tuh-RUHPT. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/. In British English it is /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in interrupt?
Interrupt has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RUHPT). Broken into parts: in · tuh · RUHPT.
Do Americans and Brits say interrupt the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ and the British form is /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.