Word
abruptness
Phoneticsabrupt·ness
US/əˈbɹəptnəs/
UK/ɐbɹˈʌptnəs/
Definition
n. the quality of being sudden and lacking a smooth start or end. It describes a change that happens too quickly for you to prepare.
n. the quality of being sudden, sharp, or lacking a smooth transition. Often describes a change in tone, weather, or physical movement.
Examples
“The abruptness of the ending surprised everyone.”
“The sudden change in the weather was so abrupt that the hikers had no time to find shelter.”
“The speaker's abruptness in cutting off the previous question left the audience feeling slightly disoriented and questioning the speaker's level of preparation.”
Examples
simple
“The abruptness of the ending surprised everyone.”
contextual
“The sudden change in the weather was so abrupt that the hikers had no time to find shelter.”
complex
“The speaker's abruptness in cutting off the previous question left the audience feeling slightly disoriented and questioning the speaker's level of preparation.”
Etymology
From abrupt + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/abruptness