sprout

[ sprout ]

verb (used without object)

1. to begin to grow; shoot forth, as a plant from a seed.

   Synonyms: develop, burgeon, bud, spring

2. (of a seed or plant) to put forth buds or shoots.
3. to develop or grow quickly:

   a boy awkwardly sprouting into manhood.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to sprout.
2. to remove sprouts from:

   Sprout and boil the potatoes.

noun

1. a shoot of a plant.
2. a new growth from a germinating seed, or from a rootstock, tuber, bud, or the like.
3. something resembling or suggesting a sprout, as in growth.
4. a young person; youth.
5. sprouts,
   1. the young shoots of alfalfa, soybeans, etc., eaten as a raw vegetable.
   2. Brussels sprout.

sprout

/ spraʊt /

verb

1. (of a plant, seed, etc) to produce (new leaves, shoots, etc)
2. introften foll byup to begin to grow or develop

   new office blocks are sprouting up all over the city

noun

1. a newly grown shoot or bud
2. something that grows like a sprout
3. See Brussels sprout

Other Words From

• non·sprouting adjective
• re·sprout verb
• under·sprout noun
• under·sprout verb (used without object)
• un·sprouted adjective
• un·sprouting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprout¹

1150–1200; (v.) Middle English spr ( o ) uten, Old English -sprūtan, in āsproten (past participle; a- ³ ); cognate with Middle Dutch sprūten, German spriessen to sprout; akin to Greek speírein to scatter; (noun) Middle English; compare Middle Dutch, Middle Low German sprute

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprout¹

Old English sprūtan; related to Middle High German sprūzen to sprout, Lettish sprausties to jostle

Example Sentences

Such pruning is called “topping,” and it increases the plant’s risk of disease while guaranteeing that a load of twiggy sprouts will erupt from below the point of amputation.

From Washington Post

Ladle the soup into bowls, and, if using, garnish with cilantro, sprouts, basil, onion, sambal oelek, sriracha, jalapeño or serrano chile, and a squeeze of lime.

From Washington Post

We start out with very small sprouts, which we grow in test tubes before we transfer them to a greenhouse, where they’ll develop into plants that will create small tubers.

From MIT Technology Review

Many holiday recipes already call for in-season ingredients, like sweet potatoes, squash, kale, and brussel sprouts.

From Popular-Science

While you collect the rootstocks, keep an eye out for little sprouts at the base of the plant.

From Popular-Science

Want to shoot lasers from your eyes, or see wings sprout from your arms?

From The Daily Beast

In the garden, giant mushroom sculptures sprout from the ground and wire spider webs hang between trees.

From The Daily Beast

I particularly believed that from the ashes of the unrest we could work to sprout new hope for our community.

From The Daily Beast

A sprout just showing will endure several nights' freezing if there is some warm sun in the day-time.

From Project Gutenberg

A long sprout is liable to be broken off in sowing, or killed by cold, after it is in the ground.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, if Willis Morgan's been misjudged, then I'm really an angel all ready to sprout wings," observed the clerk.

From Project Gutenberg

Said I not, he holdeth, as yet, but the dead letter—but the seed which is sown shall one day sprout and quicken?

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm only a boy sprout," said Roy, his wonted buoyancy persisting.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• burgeon
• germinate
• grow