abruptly
gb/əbɹˈʌptli/ us/əbɹˈʌptli/
B1
English
~ 2000
hirtelen, kurtán, nyersen
B1
1
hirtelen
A2
Usage pattern:
to happen abruptly
The meeting ended abruptly when the fire alarm went off.
Az értekezlet hirtelen véget ért, amikor megszólalt a tűzjelző.
She turned abruptly and walked away.
Hirtelen megfordult, és elsétált.
The car stopped abruptly to avoid hitting the dog.
He abruptly changed the subject when I asked about his job.
The conversation ended abruptly, leaving everyone confused.
Learner examples
The bus stopped abruptly at the light.
A busz hirtelen megállt a lámpánál.
He left the room abruptly.
Hirtelen elhagyta a szobát.
The movie ended abruptly.
She turned abruptly to see who called her.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'abruptly' with 'rudely'; while it can suggest rudeness, it mainly means 'suddenly'.
Meaning
Suddenly and without warning
Collocations
stop abruptly
|end abruptly
|change abruptly
|leave abruptly
|turn abruptly
Synonyms
suddenly (Very close in meaning, but 'suddenly' can be used in more contexts, while 'abruptly' often suggests rudeness or shock as well.)
Antonyms
gradually (Describes something happening slowly over time, the opposite of sudden change.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very quickly and without any warning.
In a sudden and unexpected manner, without preparation or warning.
B2
2
He answered abruptly, making it clear he didn’t want to talk.
Kurtán válaszolt, világossá téve, hogy nem akar beszélgetni.
She spoke abruptly and walked out of the room.
Kurtán beszélt, majd kisétált a szobából.
The clerk responded abruptly to my question.
He ended the call abruptly without saying goodbye.
Learner examples
She answered me abruptly.
Kurtán válaszolt nekem.
He spoke to me abruptly.
Kurtán beszélt velem.
The man ended the talk abruptly.
He said goodbye abruptly.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'suddenly' in time; here it refers to manner of speaking or acting, not timing.
Meaning
In a curt or rude manner
Collocations
answer abruptly
|speak abruptly
|respond abruptly
Synonyms
curtly ('Curtly' emphasizes brevity and bluntness, often with rudeness.)
Antonyms
politely (Shows respect and good manners, opposite of curt or rude speech.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a short and possibly unfriendly way.
In a way that is short, curt, or unfriendly, often suggesting rudeness or impatience.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abruptly
IPA
GB/əbɹˈʌptli/
US/əbɹˈʌptli/
Syllables & stress
ab - ruptly (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ruptly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: abruptly
- Plural: abruptlies
Word family
Expressions
change abruptly
1/t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ əbɹˈʌptli/
fixed phrase
Shift suddenly without warning
To become different very suddenly and without a slow change.
Examples
- The weather changed abruptly from sunny to stormy.
- His mood changed abruptly during the meeting.
end abruptly
1/ˈɛnd əbɹˈʌptli/
fixed phrase
Finish suddenly without warning
To finish very suddenly and without preparation.
Examples
- The show ended abruptly when the lights went out.
- Their friendship ended abruptly after the argument.
stop abruptly
1/stˈɑp əbɹˈʌptli/
fixed phrase
Stop suddenly without warning
To stop moving very suddenly and without warning.
Examples
- The horse stopped abruptly when it saw the snake.
- Traffic stopped abruptly due to an accident ahead.