What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spurt
Example
The water spurted out of the fountain when I turned it on. [spurt: verb]
Example
He made a spurt of progress on his project before taking a break. [spurt: noun]
Example
The athlete had a spurt of energy and sprinted towards the finish line. [spurt: noun]
gush
Example
The oil gushed out of the well after the explosion. [gushed: verb]
Example
She gushed about her new job, saying how much she loved it. [gushed: verb]
Example
The writer had a gush of inspiration and wrote for hours without stopping. [gush: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gush is more commonly used than spurt in everyday language, especially in informal or emotional contexts. Spurt is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spurt and gush?
Spurt is generally considered more formal than gush, which is often used in informal or conversational settings.