spurt

American  

[spurt] / spɜrt /

Or spirt

verb (used without object)

1. to gush or issue suddenly in a stream or jet, as a liquid; spout.

   Synonyms:

   spring, well

   Antonyms:

   ooze, drip

2. to show marked, usually increased, activity or energy for a short period.

   The runners spurted forward in the last lap of the race.

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verb (used with object)

1. to expel or force out suddenly in a stream or jet, as a liquid; spout.

noun

1. a sudden, forceful gush or jet.

   Synonyms:

   spout

2. a marked increase of effort for a short period or distance, as in running, rowing, etc.

3. a sudden burst or outburst, as of activity, energy, or feeling.

spurt British  

/ spɜːt /

verb

1. to gush or cause to gush forth in a sudden stream or jet

2. to make a sudden effort

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noun

1. a sudden forceful stream or jet

2. a short burst of activity, speed, or energy

Related Words

See flow.

Other Word Forms

• outspurt
  verb (used with object)
• spurter
  noun
• spurtive
  adjective
• spurtively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of spurt

First recorded in 1560–70; variant of spirt; origin uncertain

Explanation

Things that spurt gush, stream, or flow rapidly. If you laugh too hard while drinking a Coke, soda might spurt out of your nose. Ouch! Spurt is also a noun: "A spurt of water erupted from the hole in the water balloon before she had a chance to throw it." Though a jet of liquid is usually what spurts, the word is also used for quick bursts of speed, like a race car that spurts forward suddenly, winning at the last second. The origin of spurt isn't certain, but it may be related to the German spürzen, "to spit" and sprützen, "to squirt."

Example Sentences

A survey by Growth Spurt and Women in Data suggests that many parents are paying extra consumable fees of £15 a day.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 2025

Joeli Brearley, founder of the Pregnant The Screwed campaign group and the parent support programme Growth Spurt, says there is "a tussle between parents and providers" who are both struggling.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 2025

A version of this article appears in print on March 18, 2014, on page D3 of the with the headline: A Growth Spurt at 1,500 Years Old .

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2014

First came the Spurt, of Tromsö, a Norwegian tramp of dissolute and chastened appearance, whose deliberate, plodding gait and general air of senility belied her name, or at any rate the English meaning of it.

From Stand By! Naval Sketches and Stories by Dorling, H. Taprell (Henry Taprell)

Spurt, spurt, spurt of flame on the ground!

From 'Green Balls' The Adventures of a Night-Bomber by Bewsher, Paul

Related Words

• commotion
• eruption
• explosion
• outburst
• spate
• surge