spurt

American  

[spurt] / spɜrt /

Or spirt

verb (used without object)

1. to gush or issue suddenly in a stream or jet, as a liquid; spout.

   Synonyms:

   spring, well

   Antonyms:

   ooze, drip

2. to show marked, usually increased, activity or energy for a short period.

   The runners spurted forward in the last lap of the race.

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verb (used with object)

1. to expel or force out suddenly in a stream or jet, as a liquid; spout.

noun

1. a sudden, forceful gush or jet.

   Synonyms:

   spout

2. a marked increase of effort for a short period or distance, as in running, rowing, etc.

3. a sudden burst or outburst, as of activity, energy, or feeling.

spurt British  

/ spɜːt /

verb

1. to gush or cause to gush forth in a sudden stream or jet

2. to make a sudden effort

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noun

1. a sudden forceful stream or jet

2. a short burst of activity, speed, or energy

Related Words

See flow.

Other Word Forms

• outspurt verb (used with object)
• spurter noun
• spurtive adjective
• spurtively adverb

Etymology

Origin of spurt

First recorded in 1560–70; variant of spirt; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

A pickup in AI functionality has driven a spurt in wearable tech in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

See: U.S. economy posted biggest growth spurt in two years, GDP shows.

From MarketWatch

There have always been demand spurts for hard drives, from personal computer adoption in the 1990s, to digital music and video in the 2000s, and streaming and cloud computing in the 2010s.

From Barron's

Now read: U.S. economy posted biggest growth spurt in two years, GDP shows.

From MarketWatch

Read: U.S. economy posted biggest growth spurt in two years, GDP shows.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• commotion
• eruption
• explosion
• outburst
• spate
• surge