interlude
An interlude is a short break or pause between two longer activities or parts of a performance.
Explanation at your level:
An interlude is a short break. Imagine you are watching a long movie. If the movie stops for 5 minutes for a song, that song is an interlude. It is a small part between two big parts. You can have an interlude in your day, too. If you are very busy and you sit for 5 minutes to drink water, that is a nice interlude.
When you have a long activity, you sometimes need a break. We call that break an interlude. It is a short time between two events. For example, a musical interlude is a short song played in the middle of a concert. It is a very useful word when you want to talk about a change of pace.
The word interlude describes a period of time that separates two larger events. It is often used in music or theater to describe a short performance during a break. However, you can also use it to describe a quiet moment in your personal life. For instance, 'After a busy week, our weekend in the mountains was a peaceful interlude.' It sounds more elegant than just saying 'break'.
Interlude is a versatile noun that implies a departure from the main activity. It suggests that the 'in-between' time has a character of its own, whether it is a musical bridge or a brief respite from stress. Using this word adds nuance to your writing, as it implies the pause is intentional and perhaps even pleasant. It is frequently used in literary descriptions to set a mood of reflection.
In advanced English, interlude can be used to describe a significant transition period. Beyond the literal musical or theatrical definition, it often functions metaphorically to describe a phase of life or a historical era that sits between two major movements. It suggests a temporary state that allows for reflection or preparation for what follows. It is a sophisticated alternative to 'interval' or 'hiatus', carrying a slightly more poetic or artistic weight.
The etymological roots of interlude—from the Latin interludium—highlight its historical function as a 'play between plays'. Mastery of this term involves understanding its capacity to denote not just a temporal gap, but a distinct, self-contained episode. In high-level discourse, it can describe a 'liminal' space—a threshold between states. Whether discussing a symphonic structure, a dramatic narrative, or a geopolitical shift, the term conveys a sense of measured, purposeful pause within a larger, more complex architecture of events.
30秒でわかる単語
- An interlude is a short break between two events.
- It is common in music and theater.
- The word comes from Latin for 'play between'.
- Use it to sound more elegant than 'break'.
Think of an interlude as a refreshing pause in the middle of a long story. Just like a commercial break in your favorite show, it gives you a moment to breathe before the action starts up again.
You will often hear this word used in musical contexts, where a short instrumental piece might separate two main sections of a song. It isn't just for music, though; you can have a quiet interlude in a very busy, stressful week at work or school.
Essentially, it is a bridge between two bigger events. It doesn't have to be long, but it is always distinct from what comes before and after it.
The word interlude comes from the Medieval Latin word interludium. If you break that down, inter- means 'between' and ludus means 'play' or 'game'.
Historically, an interlude was a short, often humorous play performed between the acts of a longer, more serious drama or during a banquet. It was meant to entertain the audience while the stage was being reset or while the main actors were changing costumes.
Over time, the meaning expanded beyond just theater. By the 16th century, it was being used to describe any kind of musical or social break. It is a classic example of how a word can evolve from a very specific job description to a general term for any 'in-between' moment.
You use interlude when you want to sound a bit more descriptive or sophisticated than just saying 'break' or 'pause'. It carries a slightly artistic or peaceful connotation.
Common phrases include a musical interlude, a brief interlude, or a peaceful interlude. You might say, 'We enjoyed a quiet interlude in the park,' to describe a relaxing moment during a hectic trip.
It is generally used in formal or literary contexts, though it is perfectly fine to use in casual conversation if you want to add a bit of flair. It is not typically used for a 'bathroom break' or a 'snack break,' as those are too mundane for such a poetic word!
While 'interlude' itself isn't the base of many common idioms, it is often used in expressions describing time. 1. A breath of fresh air: Used when an interlude provides relief from something boring. 2. A change of pace: Often used to describe what an interlude provides. 3. Take a breather: A casual way to describe creating your own interlude. 4. In the interim: Used to describe the time between events. 5. A lull in the action: Very similar to an interlude, describing a quiet moment.
The word interlude is a countable noun. Its plural form is interludes. You will usually see it used with the indefinite article 'an' (e.g., 'an interlude of silence').
Pronunciation is IN-ter-lood. The stress is on the first syllable. In British English, the 'r' is often softened, while in American English, it is more pronounced.
It rhymes with words like intrude, delude, prelude, elude, and seclude. Note the connection to prelude—a prelude happens before, while an interlude happens between.
Fun Fact
It was originally a specific type of short, funny play performed at banquets.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'IN-tuh-lood' with a soft 'r'.
Sounds like 'IN-ter-lood' with a clear 'r'.
Common Errors
- Stress on the wrong syllable (saying in-ter-LOOD).
- Dropping the 'r' sound in American English.
- Mispronouncing the 'u' as a short sound instead of 'oo'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context.
Requires understanding of register.
Sounds sophisticated.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Articles with Nouns
an interlude
Countable vs Uncountable
two interludes
Noun usage
The interlude was short.
Examples by Level
The music had a short interlude.
music had a small break
noun
It was a nice interlude.
a good break
noun
We had an interlude.
we had a break
noun
The play had an interlude.
the show had a pause
noun
I liked the interlude.
I liked the break
noun
The concert had an interlude.
the show had a pause
noun
A quiet interlude is good.
a quiet break is good
noun
The long day had an interlude.
the day had a break
noun
The band played a short interlude between songs.
We enjoyed a peaceful interlude in the garden.
The movie had a long interlude for the intermission.
That quiet interlude helped me relax.
The play features a funny interlude in act two.
We took an interlude from our work to eat.
The concert interlude was very beautiful.
It was a short interlude before the final act.
The piano interlude added a touch of elegance to the performance.
After the chaos of the morning, the lunch hour was a welcome interlude.
The novel features a romantic interlude in the middle of the war story.
There was a brief interlude of silence before the cheering started.
She used the interlude to prepare her next speech.
The stormy weather provided an interlude to our outdoor plans.
His career had a strange interlude where he worked as a chef.
We enjoyed a pleasant interlude of conversation by the fire.
The musical interlude served to heighten the tension of the scene.
Their brief interlude in Paris remained the highlight of their marriage.
The politician's speech was followed by a tense interlude of questioning.
An unexpected interlude of sunshine brightened our gloomy hike.
The play is structured with several interludes that comment on the plot.
He viewed his time in the military as a necessary interlude in his life.
The performance was marked by a hauntingly beautiful violin interlude.
We found an interlude of calm amidst the frantic city traffic.
The symphony's central interlude acts as a bridge between the two main movements.
Their friendship was merely a brief interlude in a lifetime of rivalry.
The historical era was an interlude of peace before the revolution began.
She described her sabbatical as a creative interlude in her academic career.
The film uses a surreal interlude to represent the protagonist's dream state.
The negotiation was marked by a strategic interlude to allow for consultation.
His life has been a series of dramatic interludes punctuated by long periods of study.
The quiet interlude allowed the audience to process the heavy themes of the play.
The poem functions as a lyrical interlude within the epic narrative structure.
The interlude of prosperity proved to be a fleeting precursor to the economic collapse.
His tenure as director was a transformative interlude in the theater's history.
The silence was not an absence of sound, but an interlude of profound contemplation.
The interlude served to delineate the boundary between the two conflicting eras.
Her work explores the liminal nature of the interlude in human experience.
The play's interlude provides a meta-theatrical commentary on the nature of performance.
This period of reflection acted as an essential interlude in his philosophical journey.
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"a change of pace"
a break from the usual routine
Moving to the country was a nice change of pace.
neutral"take a breather"
stop to rest
Let's take a breather before we continue.
casual"in the interim"
in the time between
The store is closed; in the interim, use the website.
formal"a lull in the storm"
a quiet moment during trouble
We used the lull in the storm to fix the roof.
neutral"time out"
a brief pause
The coach called a time out.
casual"a breath of fresh air"
something new and refreshing
Her new idea was a breath of fresh air.
neutralEasily Confused
Both end in -lude.
Prelude is before; interlude is between.
The prelude starts the show; the interlude is in the middle.
Both mean a gap in time.
Interval is more clinical/general; interlude is more artistic.
The interval between trains vs. a musical interlude.
Similar suffix.
Postlude is after.
A postlude is played at the end of a service.
Both are breaks.
Intermission is specifically for public events/theater.
The intermission of a play vs. a quiet interlude.
Sentence Patterns
The [noun] had an interlude.
The concert had an interlude.
We enjoyed an interlude of [noun].
We enjoyed an interlude of music.
An interlude of [noun] followed.
An interlude of silence followed.
There was a brief interlude.
There was a brief interlude before the rain.
The interlude served to [verb].
The interlude served to calm the crowd.
語族
Nouns
関連
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Interlude implies something short or temporary within a larger event.
The prefixes 'pre-' and 'inter-' define the timing.
An interlude must be followed by more action.
The stress is on the first syllable.
You cannot 'interlude' something; you 'have' an interlude.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'LUDO' (game) board between two big books.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it when writing about music or describing a peaceful moment.
Cultural Insight
It is often associated with the arts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'an' before it because it starts with a vowel.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'oo' sound at the end.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for a permanent end.
Did You Know?
It comes from 'between' + 'play'.
Study Smart
Associate it with 'prelude' to remember the timing.
Writing Tip
Use it to make your descriptions sound more elegant.
Speaking Tip
Use it when you want to sound sophisticated.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
INTER (between) + LUDE (play) = A play between things.
Visual Association
Imagine a theater stage with a curtain closing for 5 minutes while a single violinist plays—that's an interlude.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Use the word 'interlude' to describe your next coffee break.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: A play between plays
文化的な背景
None; it is a neutral and widely accepted term.
Often used in arts and literature to describe moments of pause.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Music Class
- play an interlude
- the musical interlude
- listen to the interlude
Theater
- during the interlude
- a dramatic interlude
- the play's interlude
Daily Life
- a peaceful interlude
- a brief interlude
- an interlude of rest
Writing
- a narrative interlude
- the story's interlude
- a poetic interlude
Conversation Starters
"What is your favorite musical interlude?"
"Do you enjoy having a quiet interlude in your day?"
"Have you ever seen a play with an interesting interlude?"
"How do you spend your interludes at work?"
"Why do you think interludes are important in music?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a peaceful interlude you had recently.
If your life was a play, what would the interludes be?
Write about a time you needed an interlude from a busy task.
Why is it important to have an interlude in a long project?
よくある質問
8 問No, it can describe any short break between activities.
It is technically correct but sounds overly fancy.
Interlude sounds more artistic or formal.
Interludes.
No, it is a noun.
Continuous action or a main event.
Yes, it can be a short chapter between main sections.
Yes, by definition, it is a brief period.
自分をテスト
The music had a short ___.
Interlude is the correct word for a musical break.
Which means a short break between events?
Interlude is defined as a short period between events.
An interlude is a very long event that lasts for days.
An interlude is specifically a short period.
Word
意味
Interlude is a break; prelude is before.
We enjoyed the short interlude.
スコア： /5
Summary
An interlude is a brief, refreshing pause that bridges two larger parts of an experience.
- An interlude is a short break between two events.
- It is common in music and theater.
- The word comes from Latin for 'play between'.
- Use it to sound more elegant than 'break'.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'LUDO' (game) board between two big books.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it when writing about music or describing a peaceful moment.
Cultural Insight
It is often associated with the arts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'an' before it because it starts with a vowel.
