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Glite Dictionary
⏸️ A break period 🎶 A short performance
interlude

interlude

6 5.8
A short performance, often music, performed between parts of a play or concert
  • noun
  • /ˈɪntərˌluːd/
translation icon : interludio
  • During the concert, there was a delightful interlude featuring a solo violinist.
  • an instrumental interlude
  • an interlude between sections

You should play it for the, you know, as an interlude in the.

Examples

  • But first, a short musical interlude.

    The Nutty Professor (1996)

  • We take a brief interlude to entertain the child.

  • While waiting, you may enjoy a brief musical interlude.

    Heartbeeps (1981)

  • You must agree, it has been a romantic interlude, Arthur.

    An Ideal Husband (1999)

  • There will now be an interlude by the Belham band.

    Mrs. Miniver (1942)

  • This is Radio Tokyo bringing you musical interlude for your enjoyment.

    M*A*S*H (1970)

  • Enjoy this lovely musical interlude from Rio Dio Radio, ooh, healing you on AM, healing you on FM.

    Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens (1979)

  • The typical film song form alternates between refrain, verse, and interlude, as seen in the sidebar.

    Academic text (2006)

  • And then there was a brisk musical interlude, a prizewinning student trumpeter accompanied by a student pianist, both graduating seniors.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The play included a charming interlude where dancers elegantly performed between acts.

Synonyms

intermezzo
vsinterlude
1 8.5

A short musical or stage piece played between parts of a longer show

is any short performance between sections rather than only musical pieces
entr'acte
vsinterlude
9.9

A short break with a performance between the acts of a play or musical

is a short performance between sections rather than a break
interlocution
vsinterlude
  • Archaic
9.9

A short acted scene that appears between the acts of a play

is a short performance between sections that is musical or dance rather than dialogue

Antonyms

finale
180 3.6

The last, most exciting part of a show or event

main event
37 3.0

The most important event in a show or public gathering

How Long

performance
539 2.7
act
168 3.7
scene
∞ 1.9
interlude
6 5.8
aside
  • Literature
7 5.5

Surface Forms

interlude singular
interludes plural

Morphology

interlude = inter (semi-transparent) = inter + lude

The prefix 'inter-' clearly signals 'between', but the root 'lude' is a Latin-derived combining form not a standalone English word, so learners get a partial clue rather than a fully transparent derivation.

Etymology

Interlude comes from inter- 'between' and Latin ludere 'to play', the same root you see in prelude. So an interlude is like a short 'play' or performance put 'between' the main parts of a show, which is why it is a brief piece of music, dance, or comedy in the middle of a longer event.