interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈin-tər-ˌlüd 

1

: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval

2

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service

3

: a usually short simple play or dramatic entertainment

Synonyms of interlude

• interval
• interruption
• hiatus
• pause
• gap
• intermission

Examples of interlude in a Sentence

She left for a brief interlude.

He has resumed his acting career after a two-year interlude.

They always met in the city for their romantic interludes.

a drama with musical interludes

Recent Examples on the Web

But after a brief interlude to respond to what had happened down at Molineux, discussion turned to the former Chelsea and Leicester City midfielder’s role in one of the more bizarre moments of Tuesday’s game. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

According to the label, RM is credited on every track except the interlude. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026

After Oxford, Buttigieg spent three years in Chicago, during a money-earning interlude as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

Two minutes in, the tab starts to hit and a kaleidoscope of harp glissandos whoosh us into an interlude as twinkly as the stars above. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterlude "dramatic entertainment," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French entreludie, borrowed from Medieval Latin interlūdium, from Latin inter- inter- + lūdus "play, game" (derivative of lūdere "to play") + -ium, suffix of compound nouns — more at ludicrous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for interlude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interviewed

Kids Definition

interlude

noun

in·​ter·​lude ˈint-ər-ˌlüd 

1

: a performance between the acts of a play

2

: an intervening period, space, or event : interval

3

: a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer one, a drama, or a religious service