Paused: meaning, definitions and examples

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paused

 

[ pɔːzd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

temporary stop

To pause means to temporarily stop an action or process, often to allow for a brief moment of reflection or a break. In many contexts, it signifies the need to interrupt an activity to either gather one's thoughts or wait for something else to occur. Pausing can be applied to various activities, including speaking, playing music, or running a video. This action can provide clarity, allow for decision-making, or simply create space for a moment of silence.

Synonyms

break, halt, intermission, stop.

Examples of usage

  • He paused before answering the difficult question.
  • She pressed the pause button to take a break from the movie.
  • The music paused for a few moments during the performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "paused" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pausado

🇮🇳 रोका हुआ

🇩🇪 pausiert

🇮🇩 ditangguhkan

🇺🇦 призупинений

🇵🇱 wstrzymany

🇯🇵 一時停止された

🇫🇷 mis en pause

🇪🇸 pausado

🇹🇷 durdurulmuş

🇰🇷 일시 중지됨

🇸🇦 مُتوقّف

🇨🇿 pozastaveno

🇸🇰 pozastavené

🇨🇳 暂停的

🇸🇮 ustavljen

🇮🇸 stoppaður

🇰🇿 тоқтатылған

🇬🇪 შეჩერებული

🇦🇿 dayandırılmış

🇲🇽 pausado

Etymology

The word 'pause' comes from the Middle English 'pausen', which is derived from the Latin 'pausare', meaning 'to stop, cease, or rest'. The root of 'pausare' can be traced back to the Greek 'pausis', meaning 'a stopping, a cessation'. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various forms of temporary cessation in numerous activities, especially in relation to music, speech, and physical movement. The shift in usage reflects the growing need for breaks and moments of stillness in a rapidly-paced world. The democratization of multimedia technology has further popularized the concept of pausing in everyday life, highlighting its importance in communication and entertainment. Today, 'pause' is often utilized in both literal and metaphorical contexts, from taking a breath while speaking to taking a pause for thoughtful consideration.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,631 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.