Interlude vs. Intermezzo — What's the Difference?

An intervening episode, feature, or period of time

In music, an intermezzo (, Italian pronunciation: [ˌinterˈmɛddzo], plural form: intermezzi), in the most general sense, is a composition which fits between other musical or dramatic entities, such as acts of a play or movements of a larger musical work. In music history, the term has had several different usages, which fit into two general categories: the opera intermezzo and the instrumental intermezzo.

A short farcical entertainment performed between the acts of a medieval mystery or morality play.

A brief entertainment between two acts of a play; an entr'acte.

A 16th-century genre of comedy derived from this.

A short movement separating the major sections of a lengthy composition or work.

An entertainment between the acts of a play.

An independent instrumental composition having the character of such a movement.

(Music) A short piece inserted between the parts of a longer composition.

A short piece of music or act in the interval of the main spectacle; a theatrical interlude.

An intervening episode, etc.

(food) A palate cleanser; a small snack with a bright light neutral taste; a fruit; a fresh sparkling wine; or a fruity or milky cocktail; that is served between courses in a meal.

An entertainment between the acts of a play.

(chess) A tactical move which interrupts the execution of the current plan.

(music) A short piece put between the parts of a longer composition.

An interlude; an intermede. See Intermede.

(transitive) To provide with an interlude.

A short movement coming between the major sections of a symphony

A short entertainment exhibited on the stage between the acts of a play, or between the play and the afterpiece, to relieve the tedium of waiting.

A short piece of instrumental music composed for performance between acts of a drama or opera

A form of English drama or play, usually short, merry, and farcical, which succeeded the Moralities or Moral Plays in the transition to the romantic or Elizabethan drama.

A brief show (music or dance etc) performed between the sections of another performance

A short piece of instrumental music played between the parts of a song or cantata, or the acts of a drama; especially, in church music, a short passage played by the organist between the stanzas of a hymn, or in German chorals after each line.

Any intervening period of time, space, etc.; a pause between phases of an activity.

An intervening period or episode

A brief show (music or dance etc) performed between the sections of another performance

Perform an interlude;