Brake or Break?
What Is the Difference between "Brake" and "Break"?
The Quick Answer
Brake
(noun) "a device for slowing a moving vehicle"- Press the brake!
- Brake on the corners please!
Break
(noun) "a rest" or "an imperfection"- I need a break. (a rest)
- There is a break in the vase. (an imperfection)
- You've worked hard. Break now, guys. (take a rest)
- Do not break the glass. (do not smash)
A "break" most commonly means a period of rest or an interruption of continuity. The verb "to break" usually means to smash or to ruin.
There are other, less common meanings for both "brake" and "break," and these are covered below. There is also a video and couple of tests.
More about "Brake" and "Break"
The words "break" and "brake" are homonyms. This means they sound identical but have different meanings.Brake
The word "brake" has three main meanings:(1) A device for slowing a moving vehicle (typically by adding friction to the wheels).
- You do know that the brake is the pedal in the middle, don't you?
- Please apply the handbrake.
Of course, there is also the associated verb:
- Yes, very clever. It's time to brake now. Errr, now!
(2) An open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels.
(3) A toothed instrument used for crushing flax and hemp.
Break
The word "break" has three main meanings:(1) To separate into pieces (as a result of a block, shock, or pressure).
- Shatterproof ruler? I managed to break it before I'd left the shop!
- If God lived on earth, people would break his windows. (Jewish Proverb)
- That would break my heart.
- Adversity causes some men to break — others to break records. (Writer William Arthur Ward)
There is also the associated noun:
- I can see the break on the x-ray. (This is like the meaning below, i.e., an interruption of continuity.)
(2) A period of rest or an interruption of continuity.
- I need to take a break. (a period of rest)
- There is a break in the pattern. (an interruption of continuity)
(3) To infringe or disobey.
- Please do not break my trust in you.
- It is much easier to break the rules when one's surrounded by strangers. One does not know any of them, so one cannot really care for their opinion. (Author Monica Fairview)
- Men keep agreements when it is to the advantage of neither to break them. (Athenian statesman Solon)
A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing the difference between "brake" and "break." video lessonAre you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos.
Learning Resources
play:
Tetris (easily confused words) confidence game (easily confused words)lists:
common writing errors most misspelled words in Englishmore actions:
Test Time!
This test is printable and sendable