Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: , past participle of abrumpere, from ab- 'away, off' + rumpere 'to break'

abrupt

 adjective
     
a‧brupt
1 sudden and unexpected:
an abrupt change of plan
come to an abrupt end/halt etc
The bus came to an abrupt halt.
2 seeming rude and unfriendly, especially because you do not waste time in friendly conversation:
Sorry, I didn't mean to be so abrupt.
—abruptly adverb
—abruptness noun [uncountable]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary