erupt
Americanverb (used without object)
-
erupts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
erupted,
past participle, past
-
erupting
present participle
-
to burst forth.
Molten lava erupted from the top of the volcano.
- Synonyms:
- vent
-
(of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject matter.
-
to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner.
Words of anger erupted from her.
-
to break out in a skin rash.
Hives erupted all over his face and hands.
-
(of teeth) to grow through surrounding hard and soft tissues and become visible in the mouth.
verb (used with object)
-
erupts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
erupted,
past participle, past
-
erupting
present participle
-
to release violently; burst forth with.
She erupted angry words.
- Synonyms:
- vent
-
(of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject (matter).
verb
-
to eject (steam, water, and volcanic material such as lava and ash) violently or (of volcanic material, etc) to be so ejected
-
(intr) (of a skin blemish) to appear on the skin; break out
-
(intr) (of a tooth) to emerge through the gum and become visible during the normal process of tooth development
-
(intr) to burst forth suddenly and violently, as from restraint
to erupt in anger
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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eruptionnoun
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preeruptverb (used without object)
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reeruptverb (used without object)
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eruptibleadjective
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uneruptedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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eruptsimple
-
eruptssimple
-
have eruptedperfect
-
has eruptedperfect
-
am eruptingprogressive
-
are eruptingprogressive
-
is eruptingprogressive
-
have been eruptingperfect progressive
-
has been eruptingperfect progressive
Past
-
eruptedsimple
-
had eruptedperfect
-
was eruptingprogressive
-
were eruptingprogressive
-
had been eruptingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of erupt
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”; see origin at e- 1, rupture
Explanation
A rash, a volcano, applause, violence, all of these are things that are prone to erupt, meaning they suddenly become active. The word erupt has origins in the Latin word eruptus, the past participle of erumpere, meaning to burst forth. This lively verb can be used to describe anything that is released in a quick, violent burst, such as a bomb exploding or lava spewing forth from a volcano or even laughter. It can also be used to describe the arrival of things that burst through more quietly (but often more painfully), such as a skin condition or a tooth that’s breaking through one's gum.
Vocabulary lists containing erupt
Make a Break for It: Rupt
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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.
See Examples For:
While the two sides have voiced differences over some issues including Tehran's claims to charge fees, there is a growing expectation that the conflict would not erupt again.
From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026
For years, U.S. companies have been barred from doing business in Iran, and other Western companies are cautious about entering any country where strife could erupt suddenly and the rule of law is in question.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
The confrontation did not erupt all at once.
From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2026
In 2023, presenter Jeremy Clarkson recalled some batches of his Hawkstone cider bottles, warning that there was a "slim chance" they may erupt after reports of the glass bottles suddenly exploding.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
According to theories, they don’t always erupt explosively but sometimes burst forth in a vast, continuous outpouring–a flood–of molten rock, such as with the Deccan Traps in India sixty-five million years ago.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Applause erupts in the room where an Afghan flag hangs and a patriotic song is played.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
In “Young Men and Fire” he vividly narrates how a wildfire the crew initially expected to control suddenly erupts into a “blowup,” a wall of flame racing uphill faster than the young men can run.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
In this traditional view, low-density magma gradually accumulates within the crust, increasing pressure until the surrounding rock fractures, collapses, and ultimately erupts.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026
Originating as a creepy shared story told online by ordinary internet users, the "Backrooms" universe erupts into American cinemas on Friday with a film directed by star YouTuber Kane Parsons.
From Barron's ● May 28, 2026
My stomach erupts just like the sparklers in the skies.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
The scandal erupted last month after some academics and media reports accused Arday of plagiarising parts of his doctoral thesis and embellishing his life achievements.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
As McDonnell spoke, the commission room erupted in jeers as several people accused the chief of misrepresenting what happened.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
"We are very happy about returning," said Rawda Mohammed, 39, before the violence erupted.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
It is normally a quiet residential street but on Wednesday night, Clover Way erupted.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
They all knew stories of how Mount St. Helens had erupted in the past.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
The towering volcano on the Italian island of Sicily is the most active in Europe, erupting several times a year, yet scientists have never fully understood how it formed.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
He was given a standing ovation as he approached the crease for the delivery that dismissed Foulkes, the ground erupting as Harry Brook pouched a catch at second slip.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Similar clashes are erupting nationwide as communities wrestle with privacy rights and the rapid spread of AI-enabled cameras.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
A "de-confliction cell", between the parties and the Lebanese authorities has also been agreed to prevent fighting from erupting again, they said.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
We’re standing at the edge of a steep cliff, and in the distance is an erupting volcano!
From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
