sputter

American  

[spuht-er] / ˈspʌt ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to make explosive popping or sizzling sounds.

2. to emit particles, sparks, etc., forcibly or explosively, especially accompanied by sputtering sounds.

3. to eject particles of saliva, food, etc., from the mouth in a light spray, as when speaking angrily or excitedly.

4. to utter or spit out words or sounds explosively or incoherently, as when angry or flustered.

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verb (used with object)

1. to emit (anything) forcibly and in small particles, as if by spitting.

   The fire sputtered cinders.

2. to eject (saliva, food, etc.) in small particles explosively and involuntarily, as in excitement.

3. to utter explosively and incoherently.

noun

1. the act or sound of sputtering.

2. explosive, incoherent utterance.

3. matter ejected in sputtering.

sputter British  

/ ˈspʌtə /

verb

1. another word for splutter splutter splutter

2. physics

   1. to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which atoms of a solid are removed from its surface by the impact of high-energy ions, as in a discharge tube

   2. to coat (a film of a metal) onto (a solid surface) by using this process

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noun

1. the process or noise of sputtering

2. incoherent stammering speech

3. something that is ejected while sputtering

Other Word Forms

• sputterer noun
• sputteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of sputter

1590–1600; sput- (variant of spout ) + -er ⁶; cognate with Dutch sputteren

Example Sentences

Skipper finally managed a pretty good one, but most of the children simply giggled and sputtered, and Nicky got the hiccups.

From Literature

The number of open jobs in the U.S. economy fell by nearly one million last year, evidence of how demand for workers has sputtered in an uneven labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal

I asked, my voice sputtering like an unused engine.

From Literature

But the sputtering noise drowned out my voice till I got right up to the boat.

From Literature

It also said it’s expecting earnings to decline in 2026 after growth from its key branded checkout product sputtered in the fourth quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• falter
• stammer
• stutter