Pause vs. Hiatus: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 8, 2023
Pause refers to a short, temporary stop, while hiatus indicates a longer, often deliberate break or gap.
Difference Between Pause and Hiatus
Pause and hiatus both refer to interruptions or breaks, but they differ in terms of duration and context. A pause typically suggests a brief cessation of action or sound. For example, one might pause a movie or pause while speaking to gather thoughts. It's a momentary halt, usually with the intention to continue shortly after. In contrast, a hiatus implies a more prolonged and often planned interruption. This can be seen in contexts like television series going on a hiatus between seasons.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
While a pause is usually transient and can happen involuntarily, a hiatus is generally understood to be more deliberate. Writers might take a hiatus from their work to recharge, but they might just pause to get a cup of coffee. The connotations surrounding these words differ as well: a pause often carries no expectation of when things will resume. While, a hiatus suggests that there's an intention to return after the break.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
In the realm of linguistics, both terms also find usage. A pause can refer to the brief silence between words or sentences when speaking. A hiatus, in phonetics, refers to the occurrence of two vowel sounds without a consonant between them in adjacent syllables.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
In conclusion, though both pause and hiatus denote some form of interruption, they are distinguished by the length of the interruption and the context in which they're used. Recognizing these distinctions ensures precise communication across various contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Pause vs. Hiatus Comparison Chart
Context
General, used in daily scenarios.
Specific, used in specialized contexts like TV seasons.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Linguistic Usage
Silence between words or sentences.
Two vowel sounds without a consonant in between.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Expectation
No specific expectation of resumption.
Intention to return after the break is often implied.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Pause vs. Hiatus Definitions
◉Hiatus
A prolonged break or interruption.
The show is on hiatus until next season.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
◉Pause
To cease or suspend an action temporarily
She paused in her piano exercises to listen for the baby.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
In phonetics, two adjacent vowel sounds.
The word 'cooperate' exhibits a hiatus.
Nolan
Sep 08, 2023
◉Pause
To cease or suspend the action of temporarily; stop for an interim
paused the printer to add more paper.
paused the DVD with the remote.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
A gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity; a break
"We are likely to be disconcerted by ... hiatuses of thought" (Edmund Wilson).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A break, stop, or rest, often for a calculated purpose or effect
After a dramatic pause, the lawyer finished her summation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
(Linguistics) A slight pause that occurs when two immediately adjacent vowels in consecutive syllables are pronounced, as in reality and naive.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A delay or suspended reaction, as from uncertainty; a hesitation
After a pause the audience broke into cheers.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
(Anatomy) A separation, aperture, fissure, or short passage in an organ or body part.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
An interruption, break or pause.
The band decided to go on hiatus, citing creative differences.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
(Music) A sign, such as a fermata, indicating that a note or rest is to be held.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
An unexpected break from work.
Berserk's hiatus is never going to end now...
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A control mechanism on an audio or video player that halts the playing of a recording and permits playing to be easily resumed from the same point.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
(anatomy) An opening in an organ.
Hiatus aorticus is an opening in the diaphragm through which aorta and thoracic duct pass.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
(intransitive) To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
A syllable break between two vowels, without an intervening consonant. (Compare diphthong.)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
(intransitive) To interrupt an activity and wait.
When telling the scary story, he paused for effect.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
An opening; an aperture; a gap; a chasm; esp., a defect in a manuscript, where some part is lost or effaced; a space where something is wanting; a break.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
(transitive) To halt the play or playback of, temporarily, so that it can be resumed from the same point.
to pause a song, a video, or a computer game
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
The concurrence of two vowels in two successive words or syllables.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Hiatus
a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation mark.
Teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action; interruption; suspension; cessation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence; doubt.
I stand in pause where I shall first begin.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of sentences and their parts.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A break or paragraph in writing.
He writes with warmth, which usually neglects method, and those partitions and pauses which men educated in schools observe.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest.
Pausing a while, thus to herself she mused.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
To hesitate; to hold back; to delay.
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing;
The speaker paused
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
cease an action temporarily;
We pause for station identification
let's break for lunch
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Pause
A control on an electronic device to halt playback.
Press pause on the remote.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
◉Pause
A short silence in linguistic terms.
There was a noticeable pause in the conversation.
Henry
Sep 08, 2023
Pause vs. Hiatus Frequently Asked Questions
How does hiatus differ from pause?
Hiatus indicates a longer, often deliberate break or gap.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Is hiatus always a deliberate break?
Generally, hiatus suggests a planned interruption or break.
Levi
Sep 08, 2023
How do pause and hiatus differ in duration?
Pause is short and temporary, while hiatus is usually longer.
Nolan
Sep 08, 2023
Can both words be used in a linguistic context?
Yes, pause as a short silence and hiatus as two adjacent vowel sounds.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Does a hiatus imply a return after the break?
Often, hiatus suggests an intention to return after the interruption.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Can pause be used in the context of electronics?
Yes, it's a control on devices to halt playback.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
In what situations is pause commonly used?
During conversations, electronic playback, or moments of reflection.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 08, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
