splutter
Americanverb (used without object)
-
splutters,
present (3rd person singular)
-
spluttered,
past participle, past
-
spluttering
present participle
-
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)
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splutters,
present (3rd person singular)
-
spluttered,
past participle, past
-
spluttering
present participle
-
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.
-
a sputtering or spattering, as of liquid.
verb
-
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
-
(tr) to bespatter (a person) with tiny particles explosively ejected
he 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
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
-
has splutteredperfect
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am splutteringprogressive
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are splutteringprogressive
-
is splutteringprogressive
-
have been splutteringperfect progressive
-
has been splutteringperfect progressive
Past
-
splutteredsimple
-
had splutteredperfect
-
was splutteringprogressive
-
were splutteringprogressive
-
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.
See Examples For:
Meanwhile, one of the biggest surprises of this tournament has been to see the USA, so dominant and powerful over the years, splutter and stumble in the group stage.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 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
Some of those waiting in line stayed behind to splutter indignantly and argue their case, to no avail.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 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
Her parents had succeeded in rubbing down to a dull glow any sparkle or splutter die had.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
“Words,” Jeffrey splutters to Khristen, “have enabled us to get no nearer to …” Then he trails off, stunned into silence by the inability of narrative to reckon with the world.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2021
"Pops? I am only two years older than you," splutters Paterson.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2016
“Everyone is promoting themselves,” Mr. Ahmad splutters later.
From New York Times ● Aug. 6, 2016
He splutters about, unattached pronouns flying off into the rafters—who is the “they” who got the great deal?
From Time ● Jan. 10, 2016
She coughs and splutters as settlement men grab the boat to clamber on.
From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell
Until recently, the Cuban economy spluttered by on cheap supplies of Venezuelan oil.
From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026
Indeed, I found myself feeling a personal bond with the calm and implacable voice guiding our progress even as my spouse spluttered and argued.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2025
Wyman hoped the local population would take proud ownership of the bee in order to protect it, too, but the conversations tailed off, the momentum spluttered, he says.
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2022
This, in contrast, was a dreadful display which spluttered throughout, barely getting out of first gear and rarely giving Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson an anxious moment.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2021
He spluttered out, “Why...I...I demand you let me go ’bout doing my legal duty!
From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Perhaps the spluttering German economy and its current thirst for US energy were on Merz's mind.
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026
Guardiola's side delivered an spluttering display featuring several squandered chances as they allowed Arsenal to take control of the Premier League title race.
From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026
His unconvincing defence of Tottenham's spluttering display against Brentford will hardly win him many converts from the doubters.
From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026
Chances are you know someone coughing and spluttering - hopefully not directly on you - right now.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2025
The force of the water knocked him down, spluttering and blinded.
From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
