squirt

American  

[skwurt] / skwɜrt /

verb (used without object)

1. to eject liquid in a jet from a narrow orifice.

   The hose squirted all over us.

2. to eject a spurt of liquid.

   The lemon squirted in my eye.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (liquid or a viscous substance) to spurt or issue in a jet, as from a narrow orifice.

   Squirt the water over that way!

2. to wet or bespatter with a liquid or viscous substance so ejected.

   to squirt someone with a hose.

noun

1. the act of squirting.

2. a spurt or jetlike stream, as of water.

   Synonyms:

   livestream, spray, jet

3. a small quantity of liquid or viscous substance squirted.

   Put a squirt of chocolate sauce on my ice cream.

4. Informal.

   1. a youngster, especially a meddlesome or impudent one.

   2. a short person.

   3. an insignificant, self-assertive person, especially one who is small or young.

5. an instrument for squirting, as a syringe.

6. Dialect. Usually squirts. diarrhea.

squirt British  

/ skwɜːt /

verb

1. to force (a liquid) or (of a liquid) to be forced out of a narrow opening

2. (tr) to cover or spatter with liquid so ejected

---

noun

1. a jet or amount of liquid so ejected

2. the act or an instance of squirting

3. an instrument used for squirting

4. informal

   1. a person regarded as insignificant or contemptible

   2. a short person

Other Word Forms

• squirter noun
• squirtingly adverb
• unsquirted adjective

Etymology

Origin of squirt

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb squirten, apparently variant of swirten; cognate with Low German swirtjen in the same sense; perhaps akin to swirl; noun derivative of the verb

Example Sentences

A squirt of dish soap, a cup of hot water, a few pulses to loosen the worst of it—then a quick pass with a brush.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

These approaches were to do with different philosophies of dealing with a phenomenon known as 'tyre squirt'.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025

A team led by the University of Oxford has solved a mystery that has intrigued scientists for centuries: how does the squirting cucumber squirt?

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

The parents of a fifth-grader are suing an elite private Mulholland Drive elementary school after their son was expelled over emails he exchanged with a classmate containing rap lyrics and the squirt gun emoji.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

In any case, I don’t think there are many career opportunities for people who squirt marshmallow on Finkles.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

Related Words

• pour
• spatter
• spit
• splash
• spray
• sprinkle