breakup
gb/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/ us/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
B1
English
szakítás, felbomlás, feloszlás, szétesés, bontás, részletezés, szakadozás, elneveti magát
NOUN
B1
1
szakítás
B1
Usage pattern:
a breakup (with [someone]); after the breakup
The breakup was hard, but they stayed friends.
A szakítás nehéz volt, de barátok maradtak.
After the breakup, she moved to a new apartment.
A szakítás után új lakásba költözött.
He still feels upset about the breakup.
Learner examples
Their breakup happened last month.
A szakításuk múlt hónapban történt.
After the breakup, I felt sad.
A szakítás után szomorú voltam.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the noun "breakup" with the verb phrase "break up" (e.g., "They broke up"). Spelling is usually one word in American English and often hyphenated (break-up) in British English.
Meaning
end of a romantic relationship
Collocations
a bad breakup
|a messy breakup
|an amicable breakup
|a painful breakup
|a sudden breakup
|a recent breakup
|a breakup with someone
|after the breakup
|get over a breakup
|the breakup happened
Synonyms
split (More informal; often implies two people separating.)
|
separation (More general; can sound more formal or less emotional.)
Antonyms
reconciliation (Getting back together after conflict or separation.)
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
when two people stop being a couple
the ending of a romantic relationship between two people
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the breakup of [a group/organization]
The breakup of the band shocked their fans.
A zenekar feloszlása sokkolta a rajongóikat.
The merger talks failed, raising fears about a breakup of the partnership.
Az egyesülési tárgyalások kudarcot vallottak, ami aggodalmakat keltett a partnerség felbomlásának lehetősége miatt.
The breakup of the coalition led to an early election.
Learner examples
The breakup of the team was unexpected.
A csapat felbomlása váratlan volt.
Common mistake:
Don’t use "breakup" for a temporary disagreement; it usually means the group actually ends.
Meaning
dissolving a group or organization
Collocations
the breakup of the band
|the breakup of the company
|the breakup of the partnership
|the breakup of the coalition
|the group's breakup
|announce a breakup
|lead to a breakup
|avoid a breakup
|a breakup rumor
|a sudden breakup
Synonyms
dissolution (More formal; often used for organizations or governments.)
|
disbanding (Emphasizes members separating (e.g., a band, team, unit).)
Antonyms
formation (The creation or starting of a group.)
Themes
work
|society
|music
|business
Definition
when a group stops existing
the ending of a group, partnership, or organization, so that its members stop working together
NOUN
B2
3
szétesés
B2
Usage pattern:
the breakup of [material/ice/crowd]
Scientists tracked the breakup of the ice shelf over several weeks.
A tudósok több héten át nyomon követték a jégself szétesését.
Strong currents caused the breakup of the floating debris.
Az erős áramlatok miatt szétesett az úszó törmelékhalmaz.
The breakup of the crowd made it easier for police to clear the street.
Learner examples
The breakup of the ice started in spring.
A jégtakaró szétesése tavasszal kezdődött.
Common mistake:
In this meaning, "breakup" is about physical separation, not relationships.
Meaning
breaking apart into pieces
Collocations
the breakup of ice
|the breakup of a glacier
|the breakup of a raft
|the breakup of a crowd
|breakup into fragments
|rapid breakup
|seasonal breakup
|ice breakup
|breakup begins
|breakup accelerates
Synonyms
disintegration (Often suggests breaking down into very small parts.)
|
fragmentation (Emphasizes splitting into separate pieces or fragments.)
Antonyms
cohesion (Staying together as one whole rather than separating.)
Themes
nature
|science
|environment
Definition
when something breaks into smaller pieces
the process in which something breaks, separates, or disperses into smaller parts
NOUN
B2
BUSINESS
4
bontás
B2
részletezés
B2
Usage pattern:
a breakup of [costs/sales/data] (by [category])
The report includes a breakup of costs by department.
A jelentés tartalmazza a költségek részlegenkénti bontását.
Can you send me the breakup of sales by region?
El tudod küldeni az értékesítési adatok régiók szerinti bontását?
They asked for a detailed breakup of the final invoice.
Learner examples
Please show the cost breakup.
Kérlek, mutasd meg a költségbontást.
Common mistake:
In many contexts, especially outside business writing, "breakdown" is more common than "breakup" for numbers and categories.
Meaning
detailed division of figures
Collocations
a cost breakup
|a sales breakup
|a breakup by category
|a breakup by region
|a monthly breakup
|provide a breakup
|share a breakup
|a detailed breakup
|a percentage breakup
|a breakup of expenses
Synonyms
breakdown (More common and widely understood for figures and categories.)
Antonyms
total (A single overall number without details.)
Themes
business
|money
|data
Definition
a list showing parts of a total
a division of a total into smaller parts, especially to show amounts or categories
NOUN
C1
5
szakadozás
B2
Usage pattern:
audio/signal breakup; breakup on the line
There was a lot of audio breakup during the video call.
A videóhívás közben nagyon szakadozott a hang.
If you move closer to the router, you should get less signal breakup.
Ha közelebb mész a routerhez, kevésbé fog szakadozni a jel.
I missed part of what he said because of breakup on the line.
Learner examples
The call had audio breakup.
A hívás közben szakadozott a hang.
Common mistake:
This is usually uncountable or used in phrases like "audio breakup"; for a single event, speakers also say "a drop-out" or "a glitch."
Meaning
interruption in audio or video
Collocations
audio breakup
|signal breakup
|voice breakup
|breakup on the call
|constant breakup
|noticeable breakup
|connection breakup
|breakup and static
|breakup during the meeting
|reduce breakup
Synonyms
dropout (Often used for brief loss of audio/video signal.)
|
glitch (More general; can be any small technical problem.)
Antonyms
clarity (Clear, uninterrupted sound or picture.)
Themes
technology
|communication
Definition
when the sound or connection cuts in and out
a moment when sound, video, or a communications signal becomes unclear or stops briefly
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
6
Usage pattern:
have a breakup (on air/on stage); a breakup during [a scene]
The comedian had a breakup on live TV and couldn’t finish the joke.
A komikus élő adásban elnevette magát, és nem tudta befejezni a viccet.
Her breakup during the scene made the whole cast laugh.
Az, hogy a jelenet közben elnevette magát, megnevettette az egész szereplőgárdát.
They kept the breakup in the final cut because it felt natural.
Learner examples
He had a breakup on stage.
Elnevette magát a színpadon.
Common mistake:
This is a specialized meaning; in everyday conversation, "breakup" usually refers to relationships.
Meaning
losing composure while performing
Collocations
an on-air breakup
|a breakup during the sketch
|a live breakup
|try not to breakup
|a total breakup
|a mid-scene breakup
|a rehearsal breakup
|a funny breakup
|the actor's breakup
|breakup bloopers
Synonyms
corpsing (Common in British English; specifically laughing during a performance.)
|
cracking up (More general; not limited to performance contexts.)
Antonyms
composure (Remaining controlled and able to continue performing.)
Themes
media
|entertainment
|humor
Definition
when a performer suddenly laughs and can’t continue
a moment in a performance or broadcast when someone starts laughing or cannot continue speaking normally
Grammar
Dictionary form
breakup
IPA
GB/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
US/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
Syllables & stress
break - up (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (break)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: breakup
- Plural: breakup, breakups
Word family
Expressions
amicable breakup
1/ˈæmɪkəbəl bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
fixed phrase
friendly, calm split
a breakup without fighting
Examples
- They described it as an amicable breakup and asked for privacy.
- Despite the amicable breakup, they decided not to work together anymore.
- Not all separations are dramatic—sometimes it’s an amicable breakup.
Learner examples
- They had an amicable breakup.
breakup fee
1/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp fˈi/
fixed phrase
business
penalty for ending a deal
money you pay if you cancel a deal
Examples
- The contract requires a breakup fee if either side walks away from the deal.
- They negotiated a smaller breakup fee before signing the agreement.
- If another buyer appears, the company could still owe a breakup fee.
Learner examples
- The deal includes a breakup fee.
breakup line
1/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp lˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
informal
words used to end it
a sentence you say when you break up
Examples
- “It’s not you, it’s me” is a classic breakup line.
- He rehearsed a breakup line but ended up speaking honestly instead.
- She was angry that he used a cheesy breakup line over text.
Learner examples
- That is a common breakup line.
breakup song
1/bɹˈeɪkˌʌp sˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
song about a relationship ending
a song about breaking up
Examples
- She listened to breakup songs all weekend.
- That track is the ultimate breakup song.
- He wrote a breakup song after the relationship ended.
Learner examples
- I like breakup songs.
go through a breakup
1/ɡˈoʊ θɹˈu ə bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
fixed phrase
experience a relationship ending
to have your relationship end
Examples
- He’s going through a breakup, so he’s been quiet lately.
- If you’re going through a breakup, it can help to talk to friends.
- She went through a breakup and started focusing on work.
Learner examples
- I am going through a breakup.
- My friend is going through a breakup.
messy breakup
1/mˈɛsi bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
fixed phrase
relationship ending with conflict and drama
The end of a romantic relationship that has a lot of fighting, crying, and other problems.
Examples
- After their messy breakup, they stopped talking completely.
- They had a messy breakup that played out on social media.
messy breakup
1/mˈɛsi bɹˈeɪkˌʌp/
fixed phrase
informal
difficult, conflict-filled split
a breakup with lots of problems and arguments
Examples
- Their messy breakup played out on social media.
- It was a messy breakup, and they had to fight over the apartment.
- After a messy breakup, he blocked her number.
Learner examples
- It was a messy breakup.