sputter Definition
- 1to make a series of soft explosive or spitting sounds
- 2to speak in a hesitant or faltering manner
- 3to move with a series of explosive or spitting sounds
Using sputter: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sputter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The engine sputtered and died.
Example
He sputtered out an apology.
Example
The bacon sputtered in the pan.
Example
The fireworks sputtered and fizzled out.
Example
She sputtered with anger.
sputter Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with sputter
Example
The party sputtered out after midnight when everyone left.
Example
The car sputtered to a stop on the side of the road.
Example
She sputtered with laughter at his joke.
Origins of sputter
from Middle Dutch 'spatten', meaning 'to spatter'
Summary: sputter in Brief
The verb 'sputter' [ˈspʌtər] refers to making soft explosive or spitting sounds, speaking hesitantly, or moving with explosive sounds. It can be used to describe engines, bacon in a pan, or fireworks fizzling out. Phrases like 'sputter out' and 'sputter to a stop' denote weak or ineffective endings, while 'sputter with laughter' describes laughing in short bursts.