Pause — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈpȯz/

Meaning & Definition of Pause

Pause (noun)

  1. a temporary stop
  2. a break in a verse
  3. a brief suspension of the voice to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts

Pause (verb)

  1. to stop temporarily
  2. to linger for a time
  3. to cause to pause, stop

Pause (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come to a temporary halt in one's activity

    "he paused for a moment to regain his composure"

    similar: break, catch one's breath, hold one's horses
    related: hesitate, break in, interrupt, cease, discontinue, end, finish, stop, terminate, knock off, lay off, quit, lapse, let up
    near: continue, persist, advance, progress, extend, prolong, stretch

Pause (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a momentary halt in an activity

    "there was a brief pause for applause in her speech"

    similar: break, breath, breather, interruption, lull, recess
    related: time-out, interim, interlude, intermission, interval, respite, rest, cessation, discontinuance, downtime, ending, expiration, finishing, hitch, lapse, stoppage, stopping, termination, abeyance, moratorium, surcease, suspension, discontinuity, gap, hiatus
    near: continuation, endurance, persistence, progress, progression, extension, prolongation

  2. a state or an instance of temporary inaction because of uncertainty about the right course of action

    "the question caught the professor off guard, and there was a pause before he responded"

    similar: faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling
    related: delay, hawing, procrastination, waiting, arrière-pensée, misgiving, second thought, consideration, debate, deliberation, doubt, incertitude, indecisiveness, indetermination, uncertainness, uncertainty, avoidance, equivocation, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness, faintheartedness, shyness, timidity, timidness
    near: certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, readiness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pause

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pause:

break, catch one's breath, hold one's horses, breath, breather, interruption, lull, recess, faltering, fence-sitting, hesitance, hesitancy, hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling

Related Words for Pause

hesitate, break in, interrupt, cease, discontinue, end, finish, stop, terminate, knock off, lay off, quit, lapse, let up, time-out, interim, interlude, intermission, interval, respite, rest, cessation, discontinuance, downtime, ending, expiration, finishing, hitch, stoppage, stopping

Near Antonyms of Pause

continue, persist, advance, progress, extend, prolong, stretch, continuation, endurance, persistence, progression, extension, prolongation, certainty, certitude, confidence, decisiveness, determination, firmness, resoluteness, resolution, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, readiness

Word Forms of Pause

Inflections: paused, pausing

Origin & Etymology of Pause

Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pause

Words & Phrases Containing Pause

give (someone) pause, give (someone) pause for thought, without pause

Frequently Asked Questions about Pause

What does "Pause" mean?

"Pause" means a temporary stop. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a temporary stop. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pause"?

Other words for "Pause" include break, catch one's breath, hold one's horses, breath, breather, interruption, lull and recess. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pause" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pause"?

There are 85 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pause". Common alternatives include break, catch one's breath, hold one's horses, breath, breather, interruption, lull, recess, faltering and fence-sitting.

How do you use "Pause" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pause" in a sentence: "he paused for a moment to regain his composure"; "there was a brief pause for applause in her speech"; "the question caught the professor off guard, and there was a pause before he responded".

Is "Pause" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pause" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Pause" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Pause" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Pause"?

"Pause" is pronounced /ˈpȯz/.

What is the origin of the word "Pause"?

"Pause" comes from Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop. First known use: 15th century.