sputter

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈspʌt.ɚ/ UK /ˈspʌt.ə/ See IPA manual

Freq #86560

Meanings

1

verb
to make a series of soft explosive, spitting, or popping sounds

The old engine sputtered twice before it finally started.
2

verb
to speak in short, confused bursts, especially from anger or surprise

He sputtered an objection when he saw the unexpected charge.
3

noun
a series of irregular explosive or spitting sounds

The candle went out with a faint sputter.
4

verb
in physics, to eject atoms from a solid surface by bombarding it with energetic particles

The ion beam can sputter metal atoms onto the glass substrate.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make a series of soft... splutter spit cough

2 verb · to speak in short, confused... splutter stammer

3 noun · a series of irregular... splutter spatter

4 verb · in physics, to eject atoms... eject deposit

Word family

Forms sputteredsputtering

Derived forms sputterersputteringsputtery

Related forms spatter spray stammer

Etymology

A frequentative formation related to spout, representing repeated bursts of spitting or spraying. It is cognate with Dutch sputteren and related Low German forms.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# sputter

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈspʌt.ɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈspʌt.ə/
**Frequency rank:** 86560

## Meanings
1. to make a series of soft explosive, spitting, or popping sounds
2. to speak in short, confused bursts, especially from anger or surprise
3. a series of irregular explosive or spitting sounds
4. in physics, to eject atoms from a solid surface by bombarding it with energetic particles

## Examples
- The old engine sputtered twice before it finally started.
- He sputtered an objection when he saw the unexpected charge.
- The candle went out with a faint sputter.
- The ion beam can sputter metal atoms onto the glass substrate.

## Synonyms
- splutter
- spit
- cough

## Derived Forms
- sputterer
- sputtering
- sputtery

## Related Forms
- spatter
- spray
- stammer

## Etymology
A frequentative formation related to spout, representing repeated bursts of spitting or spraying. It is cognate with Dutch sputteren and related Low German forms.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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