eruptive

[ih-ruhp-tiv]

adjective

1. bursting forth, or tending to burst forth.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of an eruption.

3. Geology.,  noting a rock formed by the eruption of molten material.

4. Pathology.,  causing or accompanied by an eruption or rash.

noun

1. Geology.,  an eruptive rock.

Other Word Forms

• eruptively adverb
• eruptivity noun
• eruptiveness noun
• noneruptive adjective
• posteruptive adjective
• preeruptive adjective
• preeruptively adverb
• uneruptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eruptive¹

From the French word éruptif, dating back to 1640–50. See erupt, -ive

Example Sentences

And a planned field campaign this month to Waesche will explore the possibility that climate change could reawaken ice-bound volcanoes, whose hot, eruptive bursts could in turn accelerate ice loss in a new, dangerous feedback.

From Science Magazine

By the early hours of January 16, all eruptive activity had ceased.

From National Geographic

Mount St. Helens’ eruptive history began roughly 40,000 years ago with dacitic volcanism, behavior that tends to be explosive and yields large amounts of ash and pumice.

From Seattle Times

Historical accounts and studies of ancient volcanic rocks show that times of volcanic repose transition into loud seismic and eruptive awakenings in a cycle that’s transpired several times in the past few millennia.

From National Geographic

Sampled and warped vocals, echoey synthesizers, turntable scratching and eruptive percussion all ricochet around his promises of hot times after sunset.

From New York Times

Related Words

• fiery 
• frenzied 
• hazardous 
• meteoric 
• stormy 
• tense 
• touchy 
• ugly 
• uncontrollable 
• unstable 
• violent