What does "splutter" mean?
A forceful emission of something, especially in small drops or particles; a spluttering or sputtering.
Splutter
/ˈsplʌtə/ intj, noun, verb
intj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A forceful emission of something, especially in small drops or particles; a spluttering or sputtering.
- Grammar: splutter is listed as intj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: sputter, assibilate, assibilation, barrage.
- Useful contrasts: articulate speech, articulation, clear enunciation.
- Usage evidence: a splutter of water from a pipe
How to use "splutter"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "splutter" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "splutter" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "splutter" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "splutter" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "splutter" is acting as intj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "sputter" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "splutter", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A forceful emission of something, especially in small drops or particles; a spluttering or sputtering. countable
"a splutter of water from a pipe"
- 2 an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage) wordnet
- 3 A forceful choking or spitting sound. countable
- 4 the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively wordnet
- 5 A noisy commotion. countable, figuratively
"But party carries every thing nowadays, and what a splutter have I heard about the wit of that saying, repeated with admiration about a hundred times in half an hour."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A disagreement or dispute. countable, figuratively
- 7 Chaotic and forceful speaking, verbal exchange, etc.; (countable) an instance of this. figuratively, uncountable
"a splutter of rage from the old man"
Verb
- 1 To forcefully emit (something), especially in small drops or particles; to sputter. transitive
- 2 spit up in an explosive manner wordnet
- 3 To soil or sprinkle (someone or something) with a substance, often a liquid; to bespatter, to spatter. transitive
- 4 utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage wordnet
- 5 To direct angry words, criticism, insults, etc., at (someone or something). figuratively, transitive
"There has been much spluttering about the prince’s use of ‘Americanisms’ in a letter to Emmanuel Macron, but the truth is more complicated[.]"
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 Sometimes followed by out: to speak (words) hurriedly, and confusedly or unclearly. figuratively, transitive
"Alas, for the expectations of man! His hopes are like the fruits of that melancholy shore, where death appears to live and life to die. He biteth, and spluttereth forth the unsavoury and abominable deception."
- 7 Of a thing: to forcefully emit something, especially in small drops or particles. intransitive
"[H]e at once stepped into the stationer's shop, and requested to be served with a sheet of the best gilt-edged letter-paper, and a hard-nibbed pen which could be warranted not to splutter."
- 8 Of a thing: to forcefully emit something, especially in small drops or particles.; To spray droplets of saliva from the mouth while eating or speaking. intransitive
- 9 Of a substance: to be emitted forcefully in small drops or particles. intransitive
"Suddenly a beautiful delf blue-and-white flower-pot, which had been set on the window-sill of an upper storey, fell to the ground with a crash, and the fragments spluttered up around my father's legs."
- 10 To make a sound or sounds of something forcefully emitting a substance in small drops or particles. intransitive
"So you may see Jobson on such occasions, […] puffing, strutting, and spluttering, to get the justice put in motion, […]"
- 11 Followed by out: to go out (as a flame) or stop functioning (as an engine or machine) with a spluttering action or sound (senses 2.1 or 2.3). intransitive
- 12 To speak hurriedly, and confusedly or unclearly. figuratively, intransitive
"If thou splutterest so, thou wilt drop out thy teeth; that is, if they be thine, which I for one doubt!"
- 13 To perform in an inconsistent manner to a substandard level. figuratively, intransitive
"Manchester City, Liverpool, Bolton and Manchester United come next for Wolves in the Premier League but [Mick] McCarthy's men will fear no one after beating Chelsea for the first time in 18 years, while [Carlo] Ancelotti has much to ponder as his players continue to splutter."
Intj
- 1 A minced oath expressing anger or wonder, usually attributed to Welsh people: 'sblood. obsolete
"I vvill ſhevv him that I vvas not bred at Oxford for nothing.—Splutter! I vvill ſhevv him my head is good for ſomething elſe beſides preaching."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"a splutter of water from a pipe"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "splutter"?
Common synonyms include: sputter, assibilate, assibilation, barrage, beat, beat a ruffle.
How do you use "splutter" in a sentence?
a splutter of water from a pipe
How do you pronounce "splutter"?
Pronounced /ˈsplʌtə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
The noun is imitative. The verb is derived from the noun.
Etymology 2
A modification of God’s blood.