Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense spurts, present participle spurting, past tense, past participle spurted
1. verb
When liquid or fire spurts from somewhere, or when something spurts liquid or fire, it comes out quickly in a thin, powerful stream.
They spurted blood all over me. I nearly passed out. [VERB noun]
...a fountain that spurts water nine stories high. [VERB noun]
I saw flames spurt from the roof. [VERB preposition]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: gush, shoot, burst, spring More Synonyms of spurt
Spurt out means the same as spurt.
When the washing machine spurts out water at least we can mop it up. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
Wear eye protection when opening the container, since it's so easy for contents tospurt out. [VERBPARTICLE]
2. countable noun
A spurtof liquid is a stream of it which comes out of something very forcefully.
A spurt of diesel came from one valve and none from the other. [+ of]
Synonyms: gush, jet, burst, spray More Synonyms of spurt
3. countable noun
A spurtof activity, effort, or emotion is a sudden, brief period of intense activity, effort, or emotion.
At adolescence, muscles go through a growth spurt.
I flushed bright red as a spurt of anger flashed through me.
The recent spurt in violence has demoralised the public.
Synonyms: burst, rush, surge, fit More Synonyms of spurt
4. verb
If someone or something spurts somewhere, they suddenly increase their speed for a short while in order to get there.
The back wheels spun and the van spurted up the last few feet. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: shoot, race, fly, speed More Synonyms of spurt
Spurt is also a noun.
At the end of the race the athlete puts on a spurt.
5.
See in spurts
spurt in British English
or spirt (spɜːt)
verb
1.
to gush or cause to gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
2.
to make a sudden effort
noun
3.
a sudden forceful stream or jet
4.
a short burst of activity, speed, or energy
Word origin
C16: perhaps related to Middle High German sprützen to squirt
spurt in American English
(spɜrt)
verb transitive
1.
to expel suddenly in a stream or gushing flow; squirt; jet
verb intransitive
2.
to gush forth in a stream or jet
3.
to show a sudden, brief burst of energy, increased activity, etc., as near the end of a race
noun
4.
a sudden gushing or shooting forth; jet
5.
a sudden, brief burst of energy, increased activity, etc.
Word origin
prob. altered by metathesis < ME sprutten, to sprout, spring forth < OE spryttan < base of sprutan: see sprout
Examples of 'spurt' in a sentence
spurt
This spurt of activity is represented by the four volumes under review.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Other growers claim that the optimum is a short fast spurt.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
Some may find the sudden spurt of fake blood around his mouth almost comical.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Is she going through a growth spurt and in need of more food than last week?
The Sun (2016)
But their growth spurt across the pond has been hindered by a glaringly obvious gap in their motorcycle range.
The Sun (2009)
He then found if he swung his arms back, he could emit a continuous spurt of blood.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
A sudden spurt of global growth would do wonders.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A massive spurt of blood arched its way across the bed.
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
There might be a spurt of extra energy, but this would literally be being borrowed from almost exhausted reserves.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
A global growth spurt is imminent.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Perhaps I need to prepare for a growth spurt.
The Sun (2016)
Martial, left, can be quiet for a while but then suddenly spurt into life.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Women's football has enjoyed a boom and the Olympics could prompt a similar growth spurt.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
While some investors may be tempted to take profits after the recent spurt, there should still be decent returns for those prepared to hold on for more.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
spurt
British English: spurt VERB
When liquid or fire spurts from somewhere, or when something spurts liquid or fire, it comes out quickly in a thin, powerful stream.
Small jets of water spurted through cracks in the wood.
American English: spurt
Brazilian Portuguese: jorrar
Chinese: 喷出
European Spanish: chorrear
French: gicler
German: spritzen
Italian: sgorgare
Japanese: 噴出する
Korean: 분출하다
European Portuguese: jorrar
Latin American Spanish: chorrear
British English: spurt NOUN
A spurt of liquid is a stream of it which comes out of something very forcefully.
A spurt of diesel came from one valve and none from the other.
American English: spurt
Brazilian Portuguese: jorro
Chinese: 一股喷射出的
European Spanish: chorro
French: jet
German: Strahl
Italian: getto
Japanese: 噴出
Korean: 분출
European Portuguese: jorro
Latin American Spanish: chorro
Chinese translation of 'spurt'
spurt
(spəːt)
n(c)
[of blood etc]喷射 (pēnshè)
[of energy]迸发(發) (bèngfā)
vi
to spurt from sth[blood, flame]从(從)某物中喷出 (cóng mǒuwù zhōng pēnchū)
to spurt up/along[person, thing]突然加速 (tūrán jiāsù)
to put on a spurt (in race) 全力冲(衝)刺 (quánlì chōngcì) (in work) 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù)
1 (verb)
Definition
to gush or cause (something) to gush out in a sudden powerful stream or jet
I saw flames spurt from the roof.
Synonyms
gush
Piping hot water gushed out of the tap.
shoot
burst
Water burst through the dam and flooded their villages.
spring
jet
A cloud of white smoke jetted out from the trees.
spray
surge
The crowd surged out from the church.
erupt
Lava erupted from the volcano and flowed over the ridge.
spew
squirt
a splat of cream that squirts from a plastic container
2 (verb)
The back wheel spun and the van spurted up the last few feet.
Synonyms
shoot
They had almost reached the boat when a figure shot past them.
race
They raced away out of sight.
fly
I flew downstairs.
speed
The engine noise rises only slightly as I speed along.
tear
The door flew open and she tore into the room.
barrel (along) (informal, mainly US, Canadian)
bolt
streak
A meteorite streaked across the sky.
whizz (informal)
A car whizzed past.
scoot
burn rubber (informal)
1 (noun)
Definition
a sudden powerful stream or jet
A spurt of diesel came from one valve and none from the other.
Synonyms
gush
I heard a gush of water.
jet
benches equipped with water jets to massage your back and feet
burst
spray
surge
The bridge was destroyed in a tidal surge during a storm.
eruption
squirt
a squirt of air freshener
2 (noun)
Definition
a short burst of activity, speed, or energy
I flushed bright red as a spurt of anger flashed through me.
Synonyms
burst
short bursts of activity
rush
A rush of affection swept over him.
surge
He was overcome by a sudden surge of jealousy.
fit
I broke into a fit of giggles.
access
spate
an incomprehensible spate of words
Additional synonyms
in the sense of access
Synonyms
attack,
fit,
outburst,
onset,
paroxysm
in the sense of erupt
Definition
to burst forth suddenly and violently
Lava erupted from the volcano and flowed over the ridge.
Synonyms
gush,
burst out,
be ejected,
burst forth,
pour forth,
belch forth,
spew forth or out
in the sense of fit
Definition
a sudden short burst or spell
I broke into a fit of giggles.
Synonyms
bout,
burst,
outbreak,
outburst,
spell
Nearby words of
spurt
spur
spurious
spurn
spurt
spy
spying
squabble
Synonyms of 'spurt'
spurt
Explore 'spurt' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fly
Definition
to move very quickly or suddenly
I flew downstairs.
Synonyms
rush,
race,
shoot,
career,
speed,
tear,
dash,
hurry,
barrel (along) (informal),
sprint,
bolt,
dart,
zoom,
hare (British, informal),
hasten,
whizz (informal),
scoot,
scamper,
burn rubber (informal),
be off like a shot (informal)
in the sense of jet
A cloud of white smoke jetted out from the trees.
Synonyms
stream,
course,
issue,
shoot,
flow,
rush,
surge,
spill,
gush,
emanate,
spout,
spew,
squirt
in the sense of jet
Definition
a thin stream of liquid or gas forced out of a small hole
benches equipped with water jets to massage your back and feet
Synonyms
stream,
current,
spring,
flow,
rush,
flood,
burst,
spray,
fountain,
cascade,
gush,
spurt,
spout,
squirt
in the sense of race
Definition
to travel as fast as possible
They raced away out of sight.
Synonyms
run,
fly,
career,
speed,
tear,
dash,
hurry,
barrel (along) (informal),
dart,
gallop,
zoom,
hare (British, informal),
hasten,
burn rubber (informal),
go like a bomb (British, New Zealand, informal),
run like mad (informal)
in the sense of rush
Definition
a sudden surge of sensation
A rush of affection swept over him.
Synonyms
surge,
flow,
flood,
thrill,
flush,
gush,
spurt
in the sense of spate
Definition
a fast flow or outpouring
an incomprehensible spate of words
Synonyms
flood,
flow,
torrent,
rush,
deluge,
outpouring
in the sense of speed
Definition
to move or go somewhere quickly
The engine noise rises only slightly as I speed along.
Synonyms
race,
rush,
hurry,
zoom,
career,
bomb (along),
tear,
flash,
belt (along) (slang),
barrel (along) (informal, US, Canadian),
sprint,
gallop,
hasten,
press on,
quicken,
lose no time,
get a move on (informal),
burn rubber (informal),
bowl along,
put your foot down (informal),
step on it (informal),
make haste,
go hell for leather (informal),
exceed the speed limit,
go like a bomb (British, New Zealand, informal),
go like the wind,
go like a bat out of hell
in the sense of squirt
Definition
to force (a liquid) or (of a liquid) to be forced out of a narrow opening
a splat of cream that squirts from a plastic container
Synonyms
spurt,
shoot,
gush,
burst,
jet,
surge,
erupt,
spew
in the sense of squirt
Definition
a jet of liquid
a squirt of air freshener
Synonyms
spurt,
jet,
burst,
gush,
surge,
eruption
in the sense of streak
Definition
to move quickly in a straight line
A meteorite streaked across the sky.
Synonyms
speed,
fly,
tear,
sweep,
flash,
barrel (along) (informal, US, Canadian),
whistle,
sprint,
dart,
zoom,
whizz (informal),
hurtle,
burn rubber (informal),
move like greased lightning (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of surge
Definition
to move forward strongly and suddenly
The crowd surged out from the church.
Synonyms
rush,
pour,
stream,
rise,
crowd,
swell,
spill,
swarm,
seethe,
gush,
well forth
in the sense of surge
Definition
a strong rolling movement of the sea
The bridge was destroyed in a tidal surge during a storm.