erupt

[ ih-ruhpt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to burst forth:

   Molten lava erupted from the top of the volcano.

   Synonyms: vent

2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject matter.
3. to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner:

   Words of anger erupted from her.

4. to break out in a skin rash:

   Hives erupted all over his face and hands.

5. (of teeth) to grow through surrounding hard and soft tissues and become visible in the mouth.

verb (used with object)

1. to release violently; burst forth with:

   She erupted angry words.

   Synonyms: vent

2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject (matter).

erupt

/ ɪˈrʌpt /

verb

1. to eject (steam, water, and volcanic material such as lava and ash) violently or (of volcanic material, etc) to be so ejected
2. intr (of a skin blemish) to appear on the skin; break out
3. intr (of a tooth) to emerge through the gum and become visible during the normal process of tooth development
4. intr to burst forth suddenly and violently, as from restraint

   to erupt in anger

Derived Forms

• eˈruption, noun
• eˈruptible, adjective

Other Words From

• e·rupti·ble adjective
• pree·rupt verb (used without object)
• ree·rupt verb (used without object)
• une·rupted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erupt¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin ēruptus “burst forth, broken out” (past participle of ērumpere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + ruptus, past participle of rumpere “to break, rupture”; e- ¹, rupture

Word History and Origins

Origin of erupt¹

C17: from Latin ēruptus having burst forth, from ērumpere, from rumpere to burst

Example Sentences

Violence has subsided in recent years, although fighting does still occasionally erupt between rebels and the Wagner-backed national army.

From BBC

Its tense scenes erupt with the fractious energy of a war film and come with the same potential for sudden violence, as an activist Palestinian filmmaker and his colleagues capture the ongoing campaign of displacement carried out by the Israeli military against his West Bank community of Masafer Yatta.

From Los Angeles Times

The friend testified he saw muzzle flashes erupt from the driver’s side of the Ram.

From Los Angeles Times

The director, who used the film as a way to refract a personal experience with grief, saw Bill as a man who was slowly beginning to erupt emotionally.

From Los Angeles Times

At one point, huge celebrations erupt inside the room after a woman is told she is pregnant.

From BBC

Related Words

• appear
• blow up
• break out
• burst
• detonate
• explode
• flare up
• go off
• spew