Definition

Noun: A sudden occurrence or eruption of something, typically something unwelcome or violent, such as a disease, war, conflict, or strong emotion. It describes the rapid start or flare-up of an event or condition.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Health officials are monitoring the outbreak of a new virus.
  • The outbreak of fighting forced civilians to flee the city.
  • There was a sudden outbreak of applause when the speaker finished.

Advanced Usage

• "to be at the outbreak of something": to be present or involved at the very beginning of a significant event.
  • He was a young soldier at the outbreak of the war.
• "to follow an outbreak": to occur after or as a consequence of a sudden event.
  • A period of rationing followed the outbreak of hostilities.

Variants and Related Words

• Outbreak is primarily used as a noun. The related verb form is break out.
  • Violence broke out in the streets. (The verb phrase describes the action of an outbreak occurring.)

Synonyms

• Eruption: A sudden, often violent, occurrence.
• Flare-up: A sudden outburst or intensification.
• Upsurge: A rapid or sudden increase.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Break out: (verb phrase) To begin suddenly and often violently.
  • Fire broke out in the old warehouse.
  • She broke out in a rash after eating the shellfish.

Related Idioms

• "to nip something in the bud": To stop a problem or undesirable situation at an early stage, before it develops into a full-blown outbreak.
  • The government acted quickly to nip the rebellion in the bud.

Noun

1. a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
   • the outbreak of hostilities