splutter

[ spluht-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to talk rapidly and somewhat incoherently, as when confused, excited, or embarrassed:

   When pushed for an explanation, he always spluttered.

2. to make a sputtering sound, or emit particles of something explosively, as water dropped onto a hot griddle.
3. to fly or fall in particles or drops; spatter, as a liquid.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter hastily and confusedly or incoherently; sputter:

   Out of breath, she spluttered a poor excuse for her lateness.

2. to spatter (a liquid, small particles, etc.).
3. to bespatter (someone or something).

noun

1. spluttering utterance or talk; noise or fuss.
2. a sputtering or spattering, as of liquid.

splutter

/ ˈsplʌtə /

verb

1. to spit out (saliva, food particles, etc) from the mouth in an explosive manner, as through choking or laughing
2. to utter (words) with spitting sounds, as through rage or choking
3. Alsosputter to eject or be ejected in an explosive manner

   sparks spluttered from the fire

4. tr to bespatter (a person) with tiny particles explosively ejected

   he spluttered the boy next to him with ink

noun

1. the process or noise of spluttering
2. spluttering incoherent speech, esp in argument
3. anything ejected through spluttering

Derived Forms

• ˈsplutterer, noun

Other Words From

• splutter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of splutter¹

1670–80; blend of splash and sputter

Word History and Origins

Origin of splutter¹

C17: variant of sputter , influenced by splash

Example Sentences

He flung himself down on the bank, flopped over on his back, legs and arms outstretched, and spluttered some disconnected words.

From Literature

Coughing and spluttering his way through a parliamentary health committee meeting, a clearly irritated Dr Svoboda questioned why he had to be there in the first place.

From BBC

While Celtic have spluttered, Rangers have motored since Philippe Clement took charge.

From BBC

Added to that, the once seemingly unstoppable machine of the Chinese economy is spluttering and stalling with record-high youth unemployment, tech sector layoffs and a housing crisis.

From BBC

Now the engines are spluttering, and rather than establishing his new leadership Mr Yousaf faces questions about how he will turn things around.

From BBC