Break vs Interval

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Break

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 verb

Interval

Top 2,000 (common) B2 noun

Most common: Break

	Break	Interval
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪntəvl/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪntərvl/"]/
Meaning	To separate into pieces or stop working.	A pause or break between events or activities.
Example	Please be careful not to break the glass.	The race will include several intervals where runners can rest.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	A1	B2
Part of speech	verb	noun
Collocations	break a promise, break the news, break out, take a break, break down	brief, short, long, at intervals, in the interval, interval between, at fixed, periodic, regular, etc. intervals, at irregular intervals, at random intervals, brief, short, long, at intervals, in the interval, interval between, at fixed, periodic, regular, etc. intervals, at irregular intervals, at random intervals
Antonyms	repair, fix, build	continuity, constant
Common mistakes	Confused with 'brake', the device to slow a vehicle., Using it in contexts where 'pause' or 'stop' is more appropriate., Incorrectly forming the past tense as 'breaked' instead of 'broke'.	Confused with 'interview', thinking they have similar meanings., Mixing up with 'internal', leading to incorrect usage in context., 'Interval' used incorrectly as a verb.
Usage notes	Used for physical objects or figurative contexts like breaking a habit. Not usually used in very formal writing or speech.	Use 'interval' in formal or neutral contexts, such as discussions about time gaps. Avoid in casual, informal conversations where simpler terms like 'break' might be preferred.

See it in real clips

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

It is on till the break of dawn.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

He did not break you.

House Of Dragons › S1 E1

then perhaps we shouldn't break 100 years of it by naming a girl heir.

How I Met Your Mother › S1 E1

It is on till the break of dawn.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

He did not break you.

Break

Frequently asked questions: Break vs Interval

What's the difference between Break and Interval?

Break: To separate into pieces or stop working. Interval: A pause or break between events or activities.

Which is more common: Break and Interval?

Break is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Break and Interval?

Interval is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Break and Interval the same CEFR level?

Break: A1, Interval: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Break and Interval?

Break: verb, Interval: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Break: Please be careful not to break the glass. Interval: The race will include several intervals where runners can rest.

Can I use Break and Interval interchangeably?

Not always. Break and Interval are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.