hiatus - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
hiatus Word Meanings
- a pause or break in continuity
- an interruption
- a gap or opening
hiatus Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
hiatus Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/haɪˈeɪtəs/
US
/haɪˈeɪtəs/
hiatus Word Etymology
Root decomposition: hiat- = to gape, us = condition; Historical origin: Latin 'hiatus' → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine a door slightly ajar, creating a gap or pause in a once-closed space, symbolizing an interruption.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Hiatus is a noun meaning a pause or break in continuity, such as a temporary interruption in a project, a gap in a sequence, or a pause in activity. It can describe a break in fluency during speech, a temporary gap in work, or an opening in a structure. In anatomy and biology, a hiatus is an opening or gap, for example the esophageal hiatus or diaphragmatic hiatus. The word comes from Latin hiatus, meaning 'an opening' or 'a gaping'. In everyday use, you can say 'take a hiatus from work' or 'go on hiatus' to signal a planned, temporary stop, not a permanent end. A memory image: a door left ajar, creating a visible space in a closed room.
Usage Reminders
- Take a hiatus is used for a planned pause, not a permanent end.
- Common collocations: take a hiatus, go on hiatus, be on hiatus.
- In medical or anatomical contexts, hiatus means an opening or gap.
- Avoid using hiatus when you mean a short, everyday pause.
- Pronounce hi-a-tus with the stress on the second syllable (/haɪˈeɪtəs/).
Common Misconceptions
- Hiatus always means a permanent end, which it does not.
- It is not the same as a simple pause; it implies planning or a break in a sequence.
- Ignore it in spoken conversation unless the speaker intends a formal nuance.
- Confusing 'hiatus' with 'pause' or 'break' can make your writing sound less precise.
- Pronunciation mistakes often involve stressing the first syllable.
Thinking Differences
Hiatus is used in English to denote a planned, temporary break within a sequence or activity; learners often treat it as just a synonym for 'pause' and miss the nuance of intent and duration.
Learning Tips
- Practice with 'take a hiatus' and 'go on hiatus' in context.
- Link hiatus to a planned duration (e. g., 'on hiatus for six months').
- Compare with 'pause' and 'break' to grasp nuance.
- Use anatomical examples for explicit contexts (e. g., diaphragmatic hiatus).
- Record pronunciation and stress the second syllable: /haɪˈeɪtəs/.
- Read news or biographies mentioning a hiatus to see natural usage.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'hiatus'?
A.A gap
B.An ocean
C.A cloud
D.A mountain
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'hiatus' used correctly?
A.She climbed the hiatus
B.He took a break from work to go on a hiatus
C.The bird flew across the hiatus
D.The book fell into the hiatus
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'hiatus'?
A.Continuity
B.Pause
C.Bridge
D.Connection
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'hiatus'?
A.Continuation
B.Break
C.Interruption
D.Stop
Step 5: Mastery
How would you use 'hiatus' in a real-life context?
A.Referring to a break between two chapters in a book
B.Explaining a pause in a conversation
C.Talking about a TV show going on a hiatus for the season
D.Discussing a gap in scientific research
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