What does "spurt" mean?
A brief gush, as of liquid spurting from an orifice or a cut/wound.
Spurt
/spɜːt/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A brief gush, as of liquid spurting from an orifice or a cut/wound.
- Grammar: spurt is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: jet, spout, a breath, acceleration.
- Useful contrasts: baseline, crawl, creep.
- Usage evidence: The coxswain egged his crewmen on, and made a winning spurt at the last lap of the regatta.
How to use "spurt"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "spurt" 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 "spurt" 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 "spurt" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "spurt" 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 "spurt" is acting as noun, verb, slang 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 "jet" 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 "spurt", 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 brief gush, as of liquid spurting from an orifice or a cut/wound.
"a spurt of water; a spurt of blood"
- 2 A moment, a short period of time.
- 3 the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid) wordnet
- 4 Ejaculation of semen. slang
""Clean all your spurt off me, man." And so I did."
- 5 A sudden brief burst of, or increase in, speed, effort, activity, emotion or development.
"The boss's visit prompted a brief spurt of activity."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A shoot; a bud. obsolete
"The Garden Sperages[…]send out at first certaine greene spurts or buds peeping forth of the ground."
- 7 The act of spurting, or something spurted
"He thrust against her and deep inside, she felt his spurt of semen. Her clit jumped in response, and Lily tumbled into an orgasm that shook her clear to her toes."
Verb
- 1 To cause to gush out suddenly or violently in a stream or jet. transitive
- 2 To make a strong effort for a short period of time. intransitive
"The bullion market spurted on Thursday."
- 3 wet with a spurt of liquid wordnet
- 4 To rush from a confined place in a small stream or jet. intransitive
"Thus the small jet, which hasty hands unlock, / Spurts in the gardener's eyes who turns the cock."
- 5 move or act with a sudden increase in speed or energy wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 gush forth in a sudden stream or jet wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The coxswain egged his crewmen on, and made a winning spurt at the last lap of the regatta."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "spurt"?
Common synonyms include: jet, spout, a breath, acceleration, access, ado.
How do you use "spurt" in a sentence?
The coxswain egged his crewmen on, and made a winning spurt at the last lap of the regatta.
How do you pronounce "spurt"?
Pronounced /spɜːt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From earlier spirt, sprit (“to sprout”), from Middle English sprytten, from Old English spryttan, from Proto-West Germanic *spruttjan, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)per- (“to strew, sow, sprinkle”).
Etymology 2
Uncertain. May be derived from Etymology 1.