interlude
gb/ˈɪntɚlˌud/ us/ˈɪntɚlˌud/
B2
English
szünet, közjáték, átmeneti időszak, szerelmi kaland, futó viszony
NOUN
B2
1
szünet
A1
Usage pattern:
an interlude between [event/activity] and [event/activity]
We had a brief interlude while the equipment rebooted.
Rövid szünetet tartottunk, amíg a berendezés újraindult.
The rain stopped for an interlude, and the game resumed.
Az eső kis időre elállt, és a játék folytatódott.
Lunch was a welcome interlude in a long day of training.
Learner examples
We took an interlude for coffee.
Tartottunk egy rövid szünetet, hogy kávézzunk.
There was a short interlude before the next class.
Rövid szünet volt a következő óra előtt.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse interlude with interval: interval is often used for a scheduled break (especially in shows), while interlude can be any short pause or break.
Meaning
a short break in activity
Collocations
brief interlude
|short interlude
|welcome interlude
|a quiet interlude
|an interlude between sessions
|an interlude in the meeting
|during the interlude
|a momentary interlude
|a rare interlude
|a lunchtime interlude
Synonyms
break (More general and very common; interlude can sound slightly more formal or descriptive.)
|
pause (Emphasizes stopping rather than the time period itself.)
|
interval (Often suggests a measured or scheduled gap.)
Antonyms
continuation (No pause or gap; the action carries on.)
Themes
daily_life
|time
Definition
a short break between two things
a short period of time between two activities or events, when the main action pauses
NOUN
C1
2
közjáték
B2
Usage pattern:
an interlude between [part/scene/act] and [part/scene/act]
The host filled the gap with a musical interlude while the set was changed.
A műsorvezető egy zenei közjátékkal hidalta át az időt, amíg átrendezték a díszletet.
A short comic interlude broke the tension before the final scene.
Egy rövid komikus közjáték oldotta a feszültséget az utolsó jelenet előtt.
The album includes an instrumental interlude between the two singles.
Learner examples
They played a musical interlude before the next act.
A következő felvonás előtt egy zenei közjátékot adtak elő.
Common mistake:
Interlude is the inserted piece itself; interval is the break for the audience (when people may leave their seats).
Meaning
a short inserted performance
Collocations
musical interlude
|instrumental interlude
|comic interlude
|a short interlude
|an interlude piece
|an orchestral interlude
|a dance interlude
|an interlude between acts
|an interlude between scenes
|an interlude during the show
Synonyms
intermission piece (More specific; focuses on a piece played during intermission.)
|
bridge (In songs, a bridge connects sections; it is not always an inserted break.)
Antonyms
main act (The central part of the program, not the inserted short piece.)
Themes
music
|performing_arts
|media
Definition
a short performance between parts of a show
a short piece of music, entertainment, or performance inserted between parts of a longer show, program, or event
NOUN
C1
3
közjáték
B2
Usage pattern:
an interlude of [quality/state]
After weeks of stress, the weekend felt like an interlude of calm.
Hetekig tartó stressz után a hétvége a nyugalom egy rövid közjátékának tűnt.
The project had an interlude of stability before the next round of changes.
A projektben a következő változtatási kör előtt volt egy átmeneti stabil időszak.
Their trip provided a brief interlude of normality.
Learner examples
The holiday was an interlude of peace.
A nyaralás a béke rövid időszaka volt.
Common mistake:
This meaning often uses of + noun (e.g., interlude of calm). Don’t use it for long periods.
Meaning
a temporary contrasting period
Collocations
an interlude of calm
|an interlude of peace
|an interlude of silence
|a brief interlude of normality
|an interlude of happiness
|a quiet interlude
|a peaceful interlude
|an interlude of rest
|an interlude of relief
|an interlude of stability
Synonyms
spell (Common for a short period with a particular quality (e.g., a spell of good weather).)
|
phase (Often longer and more structured than an interlude.)
Antonyms
routine (Ongoing regular pattern rather than a short interruption.)
Themes
time
|emotions
|work
Definition
a short time that is different from what comes before and after
a short period that interrupts a longer situation, especially one that feels noticeably different in mood or activity
NOUN
C1
4
futó viszony
C1
Usage pattern:
a romantic interlude (with [someone])
The novel hints at a brief romantic interlude during his travels.
A regény utal egy rövid szerelmi kalandra az utazásai alatt.
Their interlude ended when she moved to another city.
A futó viszonyuk akkor ért véget, amikor a nő egy másik városba költözött.
He described it as an interlude, not a commitment.
Learner examples
They had a brief romantic interlude.
Volt egy rövid szerelmi kalandjuk.
Common mistake:
This use is common in writing and journalism; in everyday speech, people often say fling or short affair instead.
Meaning
a brief romantic affair
Collocations
romantic interlude
|a brief interlude
|an interlude with someone
|a secret interlude
|a passionate interlude
|a summer interlude
Synonyms
fling (More informal; often implies not serious.)
|
affair (Can imply secrecy or cheating; interlude does not always imply that.)
Antonyms
long-term relationship (Stable and lasting rather than brief.)
Themes
relationships
|dating
Definition
a short romantic relationship
a short romantic or sexual relationship, especially one that does not last and is not very serious
Grammar
Dictionary form
interlude
IPA
GB/ˈɪntɚlˌud/
US/ˈɪntɚlˌud/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - lude (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: interlude
- Plural: interludes
Word family
Forms
interludes
noun
Related words
prelude
noun
Advanced or less common
postlude
noun
Expressions
brief interlude
1/bɹˈif ˈɪntɚlˌud/
fixed phrase
a short pause or break
a short break
Examples
- After a brief interlude, the discussion returned to the main topic.
- There was a brief interlude while the team checked the results.
- The sun came out for a brief interlude between showers.
Learner examples
- We had a brief interlude before dinner.
comic interlude
1/kˈɑmɪk ˈɪntɚlˌud/
fixed phrase
a humorous break in seriousness
a short funny part
Examples
- The director added a comic interlude before the tragedy reached its peak.
- Her witty remark provided a comic interlude in an otherwise tense meeting.
- The episode relies on a comic interlude to balance the darker storyline.
Learner examples
- The movie has a comic interlude.
musical interlude
1/mjˈuzɪkəl ˈɪntɚlˌud/
fixed phrase
short piece of music between parts
a short piece of music between parts
Examples
- The ceremony included a musical interlude while the awards were prepared.
- A musical interlude played over the montage.
- They used a musical interlude to cover the scene change.
Learner examples
- There was a musical interlude between the speeches.
romantic interlude
1/ɹoʊmˈæntɪk ˈɪntɚlˌud/
fixed phrase
a brief romantic affair
a short romance
Examples
- The biography mentions a romantic interlude in Paris.
- What began as a romantic interlude quickly became something more serious.
- They treated the romantic interlude as a private chapter of their lives.
Learner examples
- They had a romantic interlude.