Definition of OUTBREAK

outbreak

Plural: outbreaks

Noun

  • A sudden occurrence or eruption, especially of something unwelcome.
  • a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
    • "the outbreak of hostilities"
  • An eruption; the sudden appearance of a rash, disease, etc.
  • A sudden increase.
  • An outburst or sudden eruption, especially of violence and mischief.
  • Synonym of breakout (“escape from prison”).

Verb

  • To burst out or break forth.

Examples

  • An OUTBREAK of bingos from her opponent quickly changed the game’s dynamic.
  • Any epidemic outbreak causes understandable panic.
  • There has been an outbreak of broken windows in the street.
  • There has been an outbreak of vandalism at the school.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English outbreken, oute-breken, from Old English ūtābrecan (“to break out”), equivalent to out- + break. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uutbreeke (“to break out; burst out”), West Frisian útbrekke (“to break out”), Dutch uitbreken (“to break out, burst out”), German ausbrechen (“to break out, erupt”).

Antonyms

inbreak

Scrabble Score: 14

outbreak: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
outbreak: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
outbreak: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

outbreak: valid Words With Friends Word