outbreak

Meaning

Noun

1. An eruption; the sudden appearance of a rash, disease, etc.
2. A sudden increase.
3. (figuratively) An outburst or sudden eruption, especially of violence and mischief.
4. Synonym of breakout (“escape from prison”).

Verb

To burst out or break forth.

Synonyms

eruption

outburst

explosion

epidemic

burst

irruption

plague

occurrence

detonation

breakout

riot

revolt

paroxysm

insurrection

disturbance

contagion

convulsion

deflagration

discharge

ebullition

eructation

extravasation

flare

flare-up

flaring up

flash

flurry

fluster

flutter

ictus

incidence

insurgence

insurgency

jet

mutiny

onset

origin

outbreaks

outpouring

perturbation

pestilence

pother

rebellion

resolution

restlessness

row

ruction

ruffle

rumpus

sally

Translations

Ausbruch

esplosione

erupción

έκρηξη

uitbarsting

éruption

estallido

scoppio

patlama

explosion

epidemia

explosão

déclenchement

irruption

esclat

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈaʊtbɹeɪk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: outbreken

Inherited from Old English: ūtābrecan

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: uutbreeke

Cognate with Western Frisian: útbrekke

Cognate with Dutch: uitbreken

Cognate with German: ausbrechen

In summary

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”).