stop
stop
Pronunciation
stop /stɒp/
s-tɒp: /s/, /t/, /ɒ/, /p/
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Base form: stop
Third-person singular present: stops
Present participle: stopping
Past tense: stopped
Past participle: stopped
Noun:
Singular: stop
Plural: stops
Adjective:
stop (used attributively, e.g., "stop sign")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To cease movement or activity.
Synonyms: halt, discontinue, cease, desist, suspend
Antonyms: continue, proceed, advance, start, begin
Example: The car stopped at the red light.
To prevent something from happening or continuing.
Synonyms: prevent, hinder, impede, obstruct, block
Antonyms: allow, permit, encourage, facilitate, aid
Example: We need to stop the spread of misinformation.
To come to an end; to no longer exist or operate.
Synonyms: conclude, end, finish, terminate, expire
Antonyms: begin, start, commence, originate, continue
Example: The rain stopped after an hour.
Noun
An act of ceasing movement or activity.
Synonyms: halt, pause, break, rest, standstill
Antonyms: continuation, progression, advance, movement
Example: We made a quick stop for gas.
A place where a vehicle regularly pauses, especially for passengers to embark or disembark.
Synonyms: station, terminal, stand, halt
Antonyms: (no direct antonym, as it refers to a specific type of location)
Example: The bus stop is around the corner.
A device or mechanism used to prevent or regulate movement.
Synonyms: barrier, block, plug, catch, restraint
Antonyms: (no direct antonym, as it refers to a specific type of object)
Example: The door has a stop to prevent it from hitting the wall.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He didn't stop until he reached the quiet solitude of his study, the city's clamor a distant echo." (From a contemporary novel, specific title omitted for general example)
"The train made its final stop at King's Cross, disgorging a flood of weary travelers." (From a travel-themed book, specific title omitted)
Newspapers:
"Police launched a major operation to stop the proliferation of counterfeit goods in the city." (The Daily Nation)
"The government announced a temporary stop to new construction permits to address environmental concerns." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Tech giants are investing heavily in AI to stop the spread of misinformation on their platforms." (TechCrunch)
"Five strategies to help you stop procrastinating and boost productivity." (Forbes.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Just stop it!" (Common line heard in dramatic or comedic films, e.g., Bridesmaids, 2011)
Music: "And when the music stops, where do you go?" (Lyrics from a popular song, specific artist and title omitted for general example)
Video Games: "Press 'X' to stop the timer." (Instructional text within a racing video game, specific title omitted)
Television Series: "We have to stop him before he executes his plan." (Dialogue from a crime drama series, specific title omitted)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you stop at the next petrol station? I'm almost out of fuel." (Everyday conversation)
"Let's make a quick stop at the supermarket on the way home." (Everyday conversation)
"The union is calling for a stop to the mandatory overtime." (Workplace discussion)
"We need to stop talking and start doing." (Motivational speech or general exhortation)
10 Quotes Using Stop
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." (Confucius)
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." (George Bernard Shaw)
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." (Albert Einstein)
"Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place - that is, the unique you." (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam)
"Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop." (H. L. Mencken)
"Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." (Robert H. Schuller)
"Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there." (Bo Jackson)
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." (Thomas Jefferson)
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story." (Orson Welles)
Etymology
The word "stop" has a long history, tracing its roots back to Old English.
It comes from the Old English word "stoppian," which meant to "plug, close up, or caulk." Imagine putting a cork in a bottle or sealing a crack – that's the core idea. This original meaning focused on blocking an opening or flow.
Over time, the meaning broadened. By the 14th century, "stop" started being used to mean "to cease movement or activity," which is the most common way we use it today. Think of a car coming to a halt or a conversation ending. This was a natural extension of the idea of "blocking" something – if you block a path, you cause movement to cease.
So, from plugging a hole to bringing things to a standstill, "stop" has evolved to cover a wide range of meanings related to ceasing, blocking, or preventing.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Stop
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "stop":
Stop and smell the roses: To appreciate the good things in life; to slow down and enjoy oneself.
Stop on a dime: To stop very quickly and suddenly.
Pull out all the stops: To use all available resources or make every possible effort to achieve something.
Come to a full stop: To completely cease movement.
Stop short (of something): To almost do something but then decide not to, or to pause abruptly.
Stop the presses! (Often used humorously) An exclamation indicating that something very important or surprising has happened.
Stop dead in one's tracks: To suddenly stop moving, often due to surprise or fear.
Put a stop to something: To bring an end to something, especially something undesirable.
Stop at nothing: To be willing to do anything, even something extreme or immoral, to achieve a goal.
Stop-gap measure: A temporary solution or arrangement used until a more permanent one can be found.
A whistle-stop tour: A quick journey with many brief stops.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of stop from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
