blurt

American

[blurt] / blɜrt /

verb (used with object)

to utter suddenly or inadvertently; divulge impulsively or unadvisedly (usually followed byout ).

He blurted out the hiding place of the spy.

noun

an abrupt utterance.

blurt British

/ blɜːt /

verb

to utter suddenly and involuntarily

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of blurt

First recorded in 1565–75; apparently imitative

Explanation

If you blurt something out, you're speaking abruptly and without thinking about what you're saying. Usually, when you blurt something, you end up regretting it. Saying something without considering your words can end up making you feel stupid or hurting someone's feelings — just imagine what might happen if you were to blurt out what you really think about your grandmother's cooking. The best thing about the word blurt is that it's onomatopoeic, or a word that sounds exactly like what it means.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing blurt

Instead of "Said": Vexed Verbiage to Express Anger

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

List 6

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead of flirting, they’re forever having to blurt out how they feel about their mom and dad.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025

Any mind blurt or ridiculous thought that minnowed behind our eyeballs Midjourney absorbed and spat out.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2025

I blurt out in horror at my own comparative inadequacies on the romantic postal front.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2023

It's the reason Kelly can blurt, "People are saying" without pointing to a poll or naming names.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2023

And then before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “Well, that makes sixteen instead of seventeen I have to decide between, doesn’t it?”

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023