splutter

[spluht-er]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR splutter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to talk rapidly and somewhat incoherently, as when confused, excited, or embarrassed: When pushed for an explanation, he always spluttered.

to make a sputtering sound, or emit particles of something explosively, as water dropped onto a hot griddle.

to fly or fall in particles or drops; spatter, as a liquid.

verb (used with object)

to utter hastily and confusedly or incoherently; sputter: Out of breath, she spluttered a poor excuse for her lateness.

to spatter (a liquid, small particles, etc.).

to bespatter (someone or something).

noun

spluttering utterance or talk; noise or fuss.

a sputtering or spattering, as of liquid.

Origin of splutter

1670–80; blend of splash and sputter

Related formssplut·ter·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for splutter

rive, burst, chip, pop, impair, ring, chop, sever, crepitate, explode, injure, damage, shiver, split, fracture, snap, crash, splinter, hurt, sputter

Examples from the Web for splutter

Contemporary Examples of splutter

With Ambassador John Negroponte in place, halting dialogues could begin to splutter, and stutter, and stumble.
What If the Iraq War Never Happened?
Michael Ware
March 20, 2013

Historical Examples of splutter

There was no sound in the room but the scratch and splutter of his quill.
The Historical Nights Entertainment, Second Series
Rafael Sabatini
Jukes understood the boatswain to splutter that the bridge ladders were gone.
Typhoon
Joseph Conrad
There was a little pause, and then came the splutter of a match.
Cruel Barbara Allen
David Christie Murray
All had their mouths full when suddenly Codfish began to splutter.
The Rover Boys on a Hunt
Arthur M. Winfield (Edward Stratemeyer)
I watched him gesticulate and get red in the face and foam and splutter.
The Winning Clue
James Hay, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for splutter

splutter

verb

to spit out (saliva, food particles, etc) from the mouth in an explosive manner, as through choking or laughing

to utter (words) with spitting sounds, as through rage or choking

Also: sputter to eject or be ejected in an explosive mannersparks spluttered from the fire

(tr) to bespatter (a person) with tiny particles explosively ejectedhe spluttered the boy next to him with ink

noun

the process or noise of spluttering

spluttering incoherent speech, esp in argument

anything ejected through spluttering

Derived Formssplutterer, noun

Word Origin for splutter

C17: variant of sputter, influenced by splash

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

Word Origin and History for splutter

1670s, perhaps a variant of sputter, intensified by the consonant cluster of splash, splatter, etc.

1728, from splutter (n.). Related: Spluttered; spluttering.