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.

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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

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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

I grab a couple squirts and rub it into my hair, then rinse it out.

From Literature

"A lot of stuff gets dropped on or squirted at the audience," noted Lukowski.

From BBC

You can also add a few squirts of TJ’s Sriracha Sauce, just before adding the seasoning packet, for a spicy kick.

From Salon

One of her son’s friends had taken the squirt gun game too far, she thought.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Related Words

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