French word

hiatus

Pronunciation

IPA/jatys/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbreak

Example

Le spectacle a connu un hiatus de dix minutes.

The show had a ten-minute break.

Illustration for hiatus (break)

More examples

Il y a un hiatus dans la conversation quand personne ne répond.

There is a pause in the conversation when nobody responds.

Core concept

A temporary gap in an otherwise continuous flow of activity or events.

Common phrases

  • il y a un hiatus

    There is a pause

  • un hiatus dans la conversation

    a pause in the conversation

  • combler l'hiatus

    fill the gap

Similar words

pause: A short rest from an activity or task.
interruption: A stoppage that breaks off an ongoing action or event.
arrêt: A complete stop in movement or activity, or a state of being stopped.
coupure: A break or disconnection in something continuous.

Definition in French

Interruption temporaire d'une activité, d'une action ou d'une suite d'événements.

Word origin

French hiatus comes from Latin hiatus, meaning an opening or gap, which derives from hiare, meaning to stand open.

Usage tips

  • Hiatus is a relatively formal word in French, so pause or interruption is often more natural in ordinary conversation.

Other meanings

  • gapnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word