Abrupt means sudden and unexpected, often in a way that feels jarring or startling. When a movie ends abruptly, it stops without warning, leaving you surprised that it's over. When a car makes an abrupt stop, it brakes hard and fast instead of slowing down gradually.

The word often suggests something happening without a smooth transition or preparation. An abrupt change in weather might bring thunderstorms on a sunny morning. An abrupt turn in a hiking trail catches you off guard because you expected it to keep going straight.

Abrupt can also describe someone's manner of speaking or behaving. If your friend gives you an abrupt answer like “Fine” when you ask how they're doing, they're being brief and maybe a bit rude, cutting the conversation short without the friendly details you expected. When someone speaks abruptly, they sound impatient or unfriendly, skipping the usual pleasantries.

Whether describing events, movements, or personalities, abrupt always carries that feeling of suddenness without a smooth transition.