splutter

American  

[spluht-er] / ˈsplʌt ər /

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 British  

/ 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. Also: sputter.  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

Other Word Forms

• splutterer noun

Etymology

Origin of splutter

1670–80; blend of splash and sputter

Example Sentences

Manchester United meanwhile continue to splutter their way through the season, picking up points here and there without playing anything like the football their fans expect.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2023

The conveyor belt was ready, the empty bottles were stacked and the machinery was about to splutter into life.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2023

Years of record-low rates have fuelled the tech stock rally but with those rates now rising again the appeal of stratospherically-valued tech stocks gets dimmer for investors, especially if their growth trajectories splutter.

From Reuters • Feb. 21, 2022

So as we splutter rather than sashay into the New Year, tell us how you’re seeing in the New Year.

From The Guardian • Dec. 31, 2021

Then all at once, Tweedie gave a great cough and a splutter and he sat up very fast and began clawing at his face with his hands.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl