erupt

[ ih-ruhpt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to burst forth:

   Molten lava erupted from the top of the volcano.

   Synonyms: vent

2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject matter.
3. to break out of a pent-up state, usually in a sudden and violent manner:

   Words of anger erupted from her.

4. to break out in a skin rash:

   Hives erupted all over his face and hands.

5. (of teeth) to grow through surrounding hard and soft tissues and become visible in the mouth.

verb (used with object)

1. to release violently; burst forth with:

   She erupted angry words.

   Synonyms: vent

2. (of a volcano, geyser, etc.) to eject (matter).

erupt

/ ɪˈrʌpt /

verb

1. to eject (steam, water, and volcanic material such as lava and ash) violently or (of volcanic material, etc) to be so ejected
2. intr (of a skin blemish) to appear on the skin; break out
3. intr (of a tooth) to emerge through the gum and become visible during the normal process of tooth development
4. intr to burst forth suddenly and violently, as from restraint

   to erupt in anger

Derived Forms

• eˈruption, noun
• eˈruptible, adjective

Other Words From

• e·rupti·ble adjective
• pree·rupt verb (used without object)
• ree·rupt verb (used without object)
• une·rupted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erupt¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin ēruptus “burst forth, broken out” (past participle of ērumpere ), equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + ruptus, past participle of rumpere “to break, rupture”; e- ¹, rupture

Word History and Origins

Origin of erupt¹

C17: from Latin ēruptus having burst forth, from ērumpere, from rumpere to burst

Example Sentences

The stadium erupted, and the USA became World Cup winners.

From BBC

However, the violence that erupted following partition nearly prevented Amarnath from reaching Australia.

From BBC

More than 500 people were reportedly killed during months of nationwide protests that erupted in the aftermath of her death.

From BBC

In 2019, Hong Kong erupted in months-long protests as hundreds of thousands marched against a hugely controversial extradition bill that would allow Hongkongers to be sent to mainland China to face trial.

From BBC

On the morning the Mountain fire erupted, wind gusts were so strong in Somis that several of the sturdy wooden boxes that housed Eduardo Flores’s bee colonies had already blown over.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appear
• blow up
• break out
• burst
• detonate
• explode
• flare up
• go off
• spew