Outbreak Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：sudden start (Outbreak)

Outbreak 🔊

/ˈaʊtbreɪk/

A sudden start of something, like a disease or excitement, that spreads quickly.

Outbreak of joy in a park with people laughing together

sudden start 🔊

➕

/ˈsʌdən stɑːrt/

An outbreak refers to the sudden occurrence or increase of something, typically a disease or an unpleasant event, that spreads rapidly among people or in an area.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Prefix 'out-' + verb 'break'. Literally 'a breaking out'.

💡 Mnemonic

Volcano erupts: lava breaks out suddenly. Outbreak = sudden start of disease or event.

📖 Example

The outbreak of laughter during the comedy show made everyone feel happy and relaxed. 🔊 The sudden burst of laughter during the comedy show made everyone feel happy and relaxed.

🔗 Collocations

disease outbreak – a sudden occurrence of a disease in a specific area

outbreak of violence – a sudden start of violent acts

outbreak of war – the sudden beginning of a war

🔄 Synonyms

epidemic (n.) – a widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time

flare-up (n.) – a sudden recurrence or worsening of symptoms or a problem

upsurge (n.) – a sudden or strong increase in something

🚫 Antonyms

containment (n.) – the action of keeping something harmful under control or within limits

control (n.) – the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events

prevention (n.) – the action of stopping something from happening or arising

📖 Cultural Story

First used in 14th century for sudden eruption of disease or war. Now key in epidemiology for epidemic onset.