What is break? Pronunciation and usage in English

break means . Learn how to pronounce and use break through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of break

breakverb/noun

/breɪk/
Definition & pronunciation of break

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "break" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Sounds like: "breɪk" (rhymes with "rake" or "steak")
  • Break it down:
    • "bre-": This part is like the word "bread" but shorter. It's a short, quick "b" sound.
    • "-ak": This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like "ay" (as in "say") but very quick and almost blends into the "bre-" sound. Think of it as a tiny, almost silent "a" sound.

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "bɹeɪk" (pronounced almost exactly the same as the American version, but with a slightly more subtle "ay" sound)
  • Break it down: The same phonetic breakdown applies - "bre-" and "-ak".

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear how it's pronounced. You can find examples on:
  • Focus on the quick "ay": Don’t overemphasize the “ay” sound. It's very brief.
  • Practice: Say the word slowly at first, then gradually speed up. Record yourself and compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This will help me pinpoint the more common pronunciation in your region.

Usage and examples with the word break in English

Let's break down how to use the word "break" in English! It's surprisingly versatile and has many different meanings. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Physical Breaking (Destruction)

  • Meaning: To shatter, crack, damage, or destroy something.
  • Examples:
    • "The vase broke when I dropped it."
    • "The storm broke several trees in the neighborhood."
    • "He broke his arm skateboarding."

2. To Interrupt (Stopping Something)

  • Meaning: To stop something temporarily or permanently.
  • Examples:
    • "I broke my promise to call you."
    • "She broke off the conversation to answer the phone."
    • "The traffic broke down, causing a huge delay.”
    • "Don't break the rules!"

3. To Separate (Dividing)

  • Meaning: To separate into parts; to split.
  • Examples:
    • "The ice broke apart into smaller pieces."
    • "He broke the chocolate bar into squares."
    • "The company decided to break up into smaller divisions."

4. To Succeed at Something Difficult (Achieving a Goal)

  • Meaning: To succeed after effort or difficulty. This usage is often idiomatic.
  • Examples:
    • "She broke through to the top of the leaderboard."
    • "He finally broke his record."
    • "She broke the sound barrier." (A famous example)

5. To Start Something (Beginning)

  • Meaning: To begin something; to initiate.
  • Examples:
    • “Let’s break the ice with a conversation.” (Meaning: start a conversation to make people feel more comfortable)
    • “Let's break down the problem step by step." (Meaning: analyze and explain a problem in detail)
    • “The band broke into a loud, energetic song.” (Meaning: started playing very loudly)

6. As a Verb in Phrases (Common Idioms)

  • Break a leg! (Said to someone before a performance – meaning "good luck!")
  • Break down:
    • (Of a machine) – "The car broke down on the highway." (Stop working)
    • (Of a person) – “She broke down in tears after hearing the news.” (Showed intense emotion)
  • Break even: To earn or lose just enough to cover costs.
  • Break the bank: To cost a lot of money.
  • Break the news: To tell someone bad news.

7. As a Noun (Things that can be broken)

  • Meaning: An object that can be broken.
  • Examples:
    • “He was holding a break (a piece of wood).”
    • “A break (a pause) in the conversation.”

8. To Release (Gas, Pressure)

  • Meaning: To release something, like gas or pressure.
  • Examples:
    • “The dam broke, flooding the valley.”
    • “The pressure broke.”

Here’s a quick way to remember some of the key meanings:

  • Break + something = destroy/interrupt/separate
  • Break + into = start/enter

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you trying to use "break" for? (e.g., "I'm writing a sentence about a broken cup," or "I want to understand the idiom 'break a leg.')

Synonyms for the word break

Practice with vocabulary break

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After hours of studying, I decided to take a __________ to clear my mind.
  2. The technician warned us not to __________ the delicate equipment.
  3. She needed a moment to __________ the tension in the room with a lighthearted joke.
  4. The negotiations __________ down because neither side was willing to compromise.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word means to pause or rest temporarily?
    a) break
    b) repair
    c) continue
    d) accelerate

  2. Which of the following could describe a sudden interruption?
    a) disruption
    b) break
    c) extension
    d) connection

  3. What word fits best in this sentence? "He tried to __________ the silence by starting a conversation."
    a) break
    b) maintain
    c) ignore
    d) prolong

  4. Which word is NOT a synonym for interrupting?
    a) pause
    b) interfere
    c) break
    d) proceed

  5. What is the correct verb to describe separating something into pieces?
    a) fix
    b) break
    c) mend
    d) attach

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She paused during the meeting to check her messages.
    Rewrite: ____________________________________________

  2. Original: The new policy caused a disruption in the workflow.
    Rewrite: ____________________________________________

  3. Original: The glass shattered when it fell on the floor.
    Rewrite: ____________________________________________

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. break
  2. damage
  3. break
  4. broke

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) break
  2. b) break
  3. a) break
  4. d) proceed
  5. b) break

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She took a break during the meeting to check her messages.
  2. The new policy caused a break in the workflow.
  3. The glass broke when it fell on the floor.

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