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

Explanation

Things that spurt gush, stream, or flow rapidly. If you laugh too hard while drinking a Coke, soda might spurt out of your nose. Ouch! Spurt is also a noun: "A spurt of water erupted from the hole in the water balloon before she had a chance to throw it." Though a jet of liquid is usually what spurts, the word is also used for quick bursts of speed, like a race car that spurts forward suddenly, winning at the last second. The origin of spurt isn't certain, but it may be related to the German spürzen, "to spit" and sprützen, "to squirt."

Example Sentences

Some may perceive this as mere growing pains for a now-decade-old Silicon Valley giant that experienced a massive growth spurt after ChatGPT’s takeoff.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Boys who are held back, the thinking goes, will hit a growth spurt their second time through eighth grade and enter high school bigger, stronger, faster and more coordinated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Big picture: The U.S. economy showed a big spurt of growth in the spring and summer despite higher U.S. tariffs and stubborn inflation.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 22, 2026

But those looking to be developed and perhaps get better when their inevitable growth spurt kicks in are missing out on what JV basketball is really for — player development.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2026

There was a spurt of pain along his haunch, but he knew that he could move.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

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