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

While there are the usual array of snack food and soft drink companies that will appearin the commercial breaks, viewers will also see a spurt in pharmaceutical ads.

From Los Angeles Times

“They grow fast, in sudden spurts. He’s six months old now—he’ll be bigger than me when he’s an adult.”

From Literature

In these environments, black holes experienced brief but intense growth spurts through a process known as 'super Eddington accretion'.

From Science Daily

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

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

Related Words

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