interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd 

1

: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval

2

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service

3

: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

Synonyms

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• intermission
• interregnum
• interruption
• interstice
• interval
• parenthesis

Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude.

He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude.

They always met in the city for their romantic interludes.

a drama with musical interludes

Recent Examples on the Web

Betty and Bruce escape and, in an interlude, find out that the Hulk can't get too excited in...umm...any context. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

And the interactions, or lack thereof, between the man and woman are interspersed with dog and nature scenes and interludes with voice-overs that seem to transport the viewer to the past or different locations. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2025

Juxtaposing that with short informative snippets of interviews, archival music and dance interludes, the film takes on a fast rhythm. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025

Davis returned to further discuss the scene after a brief interlude. —EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd 

1

: a performance between the acts of a play

2

: an intervening period, space, or event : interval

3

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service