Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
intj
Used immediately after a statement to indicate that there was no innuendo or homosexual meaning intended, especially when such a meaning is a reasonable interpretation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
Qualifier: African-American Vernacular
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: no homo
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: hiatus, moratorium, recess, caesura
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A short time for relaxing and doing something else.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: break, holiday, recess, annual leave, day off, getaway, leave, leave of absence, pause, time away, time off, vac, vacation, vaca, vacay
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Hesitation; suspense; doubt.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Synonyms: vacillation, wavering
Antonyms: none provided
noun
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation mark.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A break or paragraph in writing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A sign indicating continuance of a note or rest.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Alternative letter-case form of Pause (“a button that pauses or resumes something”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A button whose functions are pausing and resuming something, such as a DVD player, a video game or a computer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To stop (an activity) for a while.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To interrupt an activity and wait.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To halt the play or playback of, temporarily, so that it can be resumed from the same point.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To consider; to reflect.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
temporary inactivity
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: inactivity
Narrower terms: respite, recess, break, time out, hesitation, waver, falter, faltering, intermission, freeze, halt
noun
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: intermission, break, interruption, suspension
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: time interval, interval
Narrower terms: lapse, blackout, caesura, dead air, delay, hold, time lag, postponement, wait, halftime, respite, rest, relief, rest period, time-out, letup, lull
verb
cease an action temporarily
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: intermit, break
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: interrupt, disrupt, break up, cut off
Narrower terms: rest, breathe, catch one's breath, take a breather, take five, take ten
verb
interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: hesitate
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: delay
Narrower terms: hem and haw, scruple
History
From Middle French pause, from Latin pausa, from Ancient Greek παῦσις (paûsis), from Ancient Greek παύω (paúō, “stop”), of uncertain origin. Doublet of pausa.
From pause.
Across languages
159 source translations are retained for this English entry.
