abreast

IPA/əˈbrest/
KK[əbrˈɛst]IPA/əˈbrest/

abreast — adverb

1. next to another person or thing, level with it, with both facing or going the sa

1.adverbC1
Definition

next to another person or thing, level with it, with both facing or going the same way.

Example

Roya and Ife walked abreast along the canal after the rain stopped.

walk + abreast for side-by-side movement

Two police horses moved abreast through the crowd near the stadium.

Common collocations
  • walk abreast
  • stand abreast
  • ride abreast
  • move abreast
Synonyms
  • side by side

    the plain everyday phrase for being next to each other

  • alongside

    often used for movement next to another person, vehicle, or object

  • shoulder to shoulder

    stresses very close position and often a feeling of unity

Antonyms
  • behind

    in a position farther back than another person or thing

  • single file

    arranged one behind another instead of in a row

Grammar Patterns

walk/move/stand + abreast

Usage Note

Most often used after verbs of movement or position with people, animals, or vehicles. It describes things that are level with each other, not one following behind another.

Common Mistakes

The children walked abreast behind the teacher.
The children walked behind the teacher.' or 'The children walked abreast beside one another.
'abreast' means side by side, not one after another.

2. knowing the latest important facts or changes in a subject because you keep foll

2.adverbC1
Definition

knowing the latest important facts or changes in a subject because you keep following it.

Example

Kenji reads company bulletins to keep abreast of safety rules.

keep abreast of + topic

Hospital staff meet weekly to stay abreast of new treatment advice.

Common collocations
  • keep abreast of news
  • stay abreast of changes
  • be abreast of developments
  • keep abreast of policy
Synonyms
  • up to date

    the common everyday phrase for having the newest information

  • informed

    broader and less focused on following recent changes

  • aware

    can mean you know something, even without regularly tracking updates

Antonyms
  • uninformed

    not knowing the facts or updates about a subject

  • out of touch

    not aware of current developments or recent changes

Grammar Patterns

keep abreast of + topic

stay abreast of + changes

be abreast of + developments

Usage Note

Usually appears in the phrase keep, stay, or be abreast of a topic, especially in news, work, or policy contexts. It sounds more formal than everyday phrases such as 'keep up with'.

Common Mistakes

I keep abreast the news about school closures.
I keep abreast of the news about school closures.
this expression normally takes 'of' before the topic.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/2

In this sense, 'abreast' is usually part of the phrase 'keep abreast of' and stresses actively following new information so you do not fall behind. 'Up to date' is the nearest everyday alternative and sounds more natural in conversation. 'Informed' is broader: an informed person may know the facts, but the phrase does not itself suggest regular tracking. 'Aware' can be even looser and may refer to only one piece of knowledge. Use 'abreast' when the focus is on staying current with changing news, rules, or developments.

abreast ↗up to date ↗informed ↗aware ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • walk abreast
  • stand abreast
  • keep abreast of
  • stay abreast of

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Abreast' is built from the old prefix a- and breast. It first meant being side by side at the same level, as if two people were lined up breast to breast. The figurative sense later grew from the idea of keeping level with events, news, or knowledge instead of falling behind.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1