eruptive

[ ih-ruhp-tiv ]

adjective

1. bursting forth, or tending to burst forth.
2. pertaining to or of the nature of an eruption.
3. Geology. noting a rock formed by the eruption of molten material.
4. Pathology. causing or accompanied by an eruption or rash.

noun

1. Geology. an eruptive rock.

Other Words From

• e·ruptive·ly adverb
• e·rup·tivi·ty e·ruptive·ness noun
• none·ruptive adjective
• poste·ruptive adjective
• pree·ruptive adjective
• pree·ruptive·ly adverb
• une·ruptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eruptive¹

From the French word éruptif, dating back to 1640–50. See erupt, -ive

Example Sentences

By the early hours of January 16, all eruptive activity had ceased.

From National Geographic

Mount St. Helens’ eruptive history began roughly 40,000 years ago with dacitic volcanism, behavior that tends to be explosive and yields large amounts of ash and pumice.

From Seattle Times

Historical accounts and studies of ancient volcanic rocks show that times of volcanic repose transition into loud seismic and eruptive awakenings in a cycle that’s transpired several times in the past few millennia.

From National Geographic

Sampled and warped vocals, echoey synthesizers, turntable scratching and eruptive percussion all ricochet around his promises of hot times after sunset.

From New York Times

So far, the team has found four previously unrecognized ignimbrite units at Sour Creek, suggesting at least four eruptive pulses.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• fiery
• frenzied
• hazardous
• meteoric
• stormy
• tense
• touchy
• ugly
• uncontrollable
• unstable
• violent