splutter
Americanverb (used without object)
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to talk rapidly and somewhat incoherently, as when confused, excited, or embarrassed.
When pushed for an explanation, he always spluttered.
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to make a sputtering sound, or emit particles of something explosively, as water dropped onto a hot griddle.
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to fly or fall in particles or drops; spatter, as a liquid.
verb (used with object)
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to utter hastily and confusedly or incoherently; sputter.
Out of breath, she spluttered a poor excuse for her lateness.
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to spatter (a liquid, small particles, etc.).
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to bespatter (someone or something).
noun
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spluttering utterance or talk; noise or fuss.
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a sputtering or spattering, as of liquid.
verb
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to spit out (saliva, food particles, etc) from the mouth in an explosive manner, as through choking or laughing
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to utter (words) with spitting sounds, as through rage or choking
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Also: sputter. to eject or be ejected in an explosive manner
sparks spluttered from the fire
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(tr) to bespatter (a person) with tiny particles explosively ejected
he spluttered the boy next to him with ink
noun
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the process or noise of spluttering
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spluttering incoherent speech, esp in argument
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anything ejected through spluttering
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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spluttersimple
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splutterssimple
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have splutteredperfect
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has splutteredperfect
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am splutteringprogressive
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are splutteringprogressive
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is splutteringprogressive
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have been splutteringperfect progressive
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has been splutteringperfect progressive
Past
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splutteredsimple
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had splutteredperfect
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was splutteringprogressive
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were splutteringprogressive
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had been splutteringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of splutter
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.
"I tell you what," said Grief, "we'll throw some poker hands, and the one who wins will have the distinguished honour of conveying Miss Splutter to her home and mother."
From The Third Violet by Crane, Stephen
"Oh, Splutter, you poor little outspoken kid!" said Wrinkle in a sad voice.
From The Third Violet by Crane, Stephen
After reflection, Pennoyer said, "It's pretty hard on the rest of us, Splutter."
From The Third Violet by Crane, Stephen
"Why, I was going to tell you that Splutter is over in our place, and she wants to see you."
From The Third Violet by Crane, Stephen
Splutter, splut′ėr, v.i. to eject drops of saliva while speaking: to scatter ink upon a paper, as a bad pen.—n. bustle.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
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.
