C1noun2K

Outbreak

UK /["/ˈaʊtbreɪk/"]/US /["/ˈaʊtbreɪk/"]/

Definition

the sudden start of something unpleasant, especially violence or a disease

In simple words: A sudden start of something, especially a disease.

Examples

  • the outbreak of war
  • an outbreak of typhoid
  • Outbreaks of rain are expected in the afternoon.
  • the events that led to the outbreak of World War I
  • an outbreak of hostilities

Usage notes

Commonly used in health contexts to describe the sudden occurrence of diseases. Avoid overly technical medical terms when discussing with general audiences.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'break' in a 'out', like an infection breaking out into the community.

Collocations

  • large
  • major
  • serious
  • cause
  • lead to
  • prevent
  • occur
  • outbreak of
  • an outbreak of disease
  • outbreaks of rain
  • an outbreak of war, fighting, hostilities, violence, etc.

Synonyms

  • epidemic
  • flare-up
  • eruption
  • incident
  • manifestation

Antonyms

  • control
  • containment

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'breakout' which refers to a sudden escape or emergence.
  • Using 'outbreak' to describe non-disease situations.
  • Pluralizing 'outbreak' as 'outbreaks' too frequently in casual conversation.