splutter

[ spluht-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to talk rapidly and somewhat incoherently, as when confused, excited, or embarrassed:

   When pushed for an explanation, he always spluttered.

2. to make a sputtering sound, or emit particles of something explosively, as water dropped onto a hot griddle.
3. to fly or fall in particles or drops; spatter, as a liquid.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter hastily and confusedly or incoherently; sputter:

   Out of breath, she spluttered a poor excuse for her lateness.

2. to spatter (a liquid, small particles, etc.).
3. to bespatter (someone or something).

noun

1. spluttering utterance or talk; noise or fuss.
2. a sputtering or spattering, as of liquid.

splutter

/ ˈsplʌtə /

verb

1. to spit out (saliva, food particles, etc) from the mouth in an explosive manner, as through choking or laughing
2. to utter (words) with spitting sounds, as through rage or choking
3. Alsosputter to eject or be ejected in an explosive manner

   sparks spluttered from the fire

4. tr to bespatter (a person) with tiny particles explosively ejected

   he spluttered the boy next to him with ink

noun

1. the process or noise of spluttering
2. spluttering incoherent speech, esp in argument
3. anything ejected through spluttering

Derived Forms

• ˈsplutterer, noun

Other Words From

• splutter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of splutter¹

1670–80; blend of splash and sputter

Word History and Origins

Origin of splutter¹

C17: variant of sputter , influenced by splash

Example Sentences

With Ambassador John Negroponte in place, halting dialogues could begin to splutter, and stutter, and stumble.

From The Daily Beast

He held up with a pride that made him splutter a little jack about fourteen inches long, which he had just caught.

From Project Gutenberg

Our crew—two Chinamen who jested about us between themselves in a continuous splutter of Chinese.

From Project Gutenberg

Dolly catches her lips with her finger tips, suppressing a little splutter of mirth.

From Project Gutenberg

And the utterers of both queries came forth on to the stoep, causing their brothers to break into a splutter of mirth.

From Project Gutenberg

A large drop of water, splashing down from the roof of the cavern, caused the light to splutter and go out.

From Project Gutenberg