What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
splutter
Example
The car engine spluttered and then stopped. [spluttered: past tense]
Example
He spluttered his words nervously as he tried to explain himself. [spluttered: verb]
sputter
Example
The candle sputtered and went out. [sputtered: past tense]
Example
She sputtered her words in anger as she argued with him. [sputtered: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sputter is more commonly used than splutter in American English, while splutter is more common in British English. However, both words are relatively uncommon and may not be frequently encountered in everyday conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between splutter and sputter?
Both splutter and sputter are informal words that are unlikely to be used in formal contexts.
