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

In three tracks—two tentpoles separated by an ambient interlude—the EP blatantly evokes a period in the mid-’90s when, across Europe, guys in corpse paint started playing around with Korg workstations. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026

This time, the night’s entertainment includes four short films and a handful of musical interludes, all built around the theme of… sound? — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026

This time the meetups are spread across a number of weeks, as the summer heat cools gently into autumn, while the interludes themselves attempt to broach something more complex than simple relationship woes. — James Marsh, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

For 14th, DuVernay interviewed more than 50 experts, scholars and politicians, interweaving their insights with vérité interludes and brief snippets of relevant stand-up from comedians like Hasan Minhaj. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 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