outbreak
gb/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk/ us/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk/
B2
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
sudden start and spread of disease
A time when a disease suddenly appears and spreads quickly in one area or group of people.
Usage pattern:
an outbreak of [disease] in [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use *outbreak* as a verb (e.g., *The disease outbreaked last year*). This is incorrect; *outbreak* is a noun. Use a structure like *The disease broke out last year* or *There was an outbreak last year*. Learners may also confuse *outbreak* with *infection*: *infection* is the state of being infected, while *outbreak* is the event when many infections suddenly happen.
Synonyms
epidemic (Usually suggests a larger or longer-lasting spread of disease over a wider area; often used more technically.)
|
flare-up (Less formal and can sound milder; often used for a return or sudden increase of a disease rather than a first appearance.)
Antonyms
containment (Refers to successfully stopping or limiting the spread of a disease, which is the opposite of an outbreak continuing or growing.)
|
eradication (Means completely removing a disease from an area or the world, the long-term opposite of a new outbreak.)
Collocations
disease outbreak
|virus outbreak
|outbreak of [disease]
|control an outbreak
|contain an outbreak
|trace an outbreak
Themes
health
|science
|public life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Health officials are working to contain a measles outbreak in the region.
- The city declared a state of emergency after an outbreak of cholera.
- A small food poisoning outbreak was traced back to a local restaurant.
- Vaccination helped prevent a major outbreak of the virus.
- The report warned that crowded camps could lead to a serious disease outbreak.
Learner examples
- There was an outbreak of flu at my school.
- Doctors moved quickly to stop the outbreak.
- The outbreak started in a small village.
- People were afraid because the outbreak spread fast.
- The news talked about an outbreak in the capital city.
Noun
B2
event
2
sudden start of war or violence
The moment when war or serious violence suddenly starts between groups or countries.
Usage pattern:
the outbreak of [war/violence/hostilities]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix this sense with disease and say things like *"a war outbreaked"*. *Outbreak* here is still a noun; use *the war broke out* or *there was an outbreak of war*. Also, *outbreak* usually describes the start of something large and serious, not small fights or arguments between individuals.
Synonyms
eruption (Often used figuratively for sudden, intense violence or conflict; slightly more literary in this sense.)
|
flare-up (Suggests a short or sudden increase in conflict, sometimes less large-scale than a full outbreak of war.)
Antonyms
peace (A general state without war or violent conflict, which contrasts with the beginning of war.)
|
ceasefire (A formal stop to fighting, the opposite phase of the moment when fighting first begins.)
Collocations
outbreak of war
|outbreak of violence
|outbreak of hostilities
|civil war outbreak
|prevent an outbreak
|spark an outbreak
Themes
politics
|war
|public life
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many families fled the country at the outbreak of war.
- Curfews were introduced after an outbreak of violence in the capital.
- Diplomats worked hard to stop the outbreak of hostilities along the border.
- Economic tensions contributed to the sudden outbreak of unrest and street fighting.
- The agreement delayed, but could not prevent, the outbreak of civil war.
Learner examples
- People were afraid of an outbreak of war.
- The city was quiet before the outbreak of violence.
- Talks failed, and there was an outbreak of fighting on the border.
- At the outbreak of war, many soldiers were sent overseas.
- The government tried to prevent an outbreak of hostilities.
Noun
C1
event
3
sudden burst of activity or emotion
A time when many people suddenly show the same strong feeling or action, like laughing or protesting.
Usage pattern:
an outbreak of [emotion/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *outbreak* with *outburst* and say *"an outbreak of anger from him"* when *"an outburst of anger from him"* is more natural for one person. *Outbreak* usually involves many people or a group situation. Also, this sense is less common than the disease or war senses, and some learners overuse it where a simpler word like *sudden* or *burst* would be more natural.
Synonyms
outburst (Often refers to a sudden strong emotion from one person, whereas *outbreak* usually involves many people or a group event.)
|
eruption (More figurative and a bit more literary; suggests something sudden and forceful, similar in feeling but less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
calm (Describes a quiet, peaceful state without sudden strong activity or emotion, the opposite of an outbreak.)
|
lull (A period of quiet or reduced activity, contrasting with a sudden increase in activity during an outbreak.)
Collocations
outbreak of laughter
|outbreak of cheering
|outbreak of protests
|outbreak of panic
|outbreak of rioting
Themes
emotions
|social life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her comment was followed by an outbreak of laughter from the audience.
- The decision sparked an outbreak of protests across major cities.
- There was an outbreak of cheering when the team scored in the final minute.
- Rumors about shortages caused an outbreak of panic buying in supermarkets.
- After hours of tension, there was an outbreak of applause when the deal was signed.
Learner examples
- The joke caused an outbreak of laughter in the class.
- The news led to an outbreak of protests in the streets.
- There was an outbreak of cheering when the singer came on stage.
- The announcement started an outbreak of panic in the office.
- The speech ended with an outbreak of loud applause.
Grammar
Dictionary form
outbreak
IPA
GB/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk/
US/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk/
Syllables & stress
out - break (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (out)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: outbreak
- Plural: outbreaks
Word family
Expressions
outbreak of disease
1/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk əv dɪzˈiz/
fixed phrase
sudden start and spread of disease
A time when a disease suddenly appears and spreads in one area or group of people.
Examples
- The government is preparing for a possible outbreak of disease after the floods.
- Poor sanitation can lead to an outbreak of disease in refugee camps.
outbreak of hostilities
1/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk əv hɑstˈɪlətiz/
fixed phrase
formal
sudden start of organized fighting
The time when fighting between groups or countries suddenly starts.
Examples
- Talks continued up to the very outbreak of hostilities.
- Many diplomats were evacuated from the region at the outbreak of hostilities.
outbreak of laughter
1/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk əv lˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
sudden burst of shared laughter
A time when many people suddenly start laughing at the same moment.
Examples
- His mistake on stage caused an outbreak of laughter from the audience.
- There was an outbreak of laughter when the child gave a very honest answer.
outbreak of violence
1/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk əv vˈaɪələns/
fixed phrase
sudden start of serious violence
A time when serious fighting or attacks suddenly start in a place.
Examples
- Police were deployed after an outbreak of violence in the city center.
- The speech was blamed for the outbreak of violence at the rally.
outbreak of war
1/ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk əv wˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
moment when war begins suddenly
The time when a war starts suddenly.
Examples
- Many people left the country at the outbreak of war.
- At the outbreak of war, factories switched to producing weapons.