spurt

or spirt

[ spurt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to gush or issue suddenly in a stream or jet, as a liquid; spout.

   Synonyms: spring, well

   Antonyms: ooze, drip

2. to show marked, usually increased, activity or energy for a short period:

   The runners spurted forward in the last lap of the race.

verb (used with object)

1. to expel or force out suddenly in a stream or jet, as a liquid; spout.

noun

1. a sudden, forceful gush or jet.

   Synonyms: spout

2. a marked increase of effort for a short period or distance, as in running, rowing, etc.
3. a sudden burst or outburst, as of activity, energy, or feeling.

spurt

/ spɜːt /

verb

1. to gush or cause to gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
2. to make a sudden effort

noun

1. a sudden forceful stream or jet
2. a short burst of activity, speed, or energy

Other Words From

• spurter noun
• spurtive adjective
• spurtive·ly adverb
• outspurt verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of spurt¹

First recorded in 1560–70; variant of spirt; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of spurt¹

C16: perhaps related to Middle High German sprützen to squirt

Synonym Study

See flow.

Example Sentences

They have McGowin, who excelled in spurts after evolving from ineffective starter to slider-heavy reliever.

From Washington Post

Founder and CEO Wayne Mackey described the funding as pre-emptive as the company experiences a growth spurt alongside the broader gaming industry.

From TechCrunch

It hasn’t been totally smooth sailing for Parler during the growth spurt — many people took to Twitter to vent that the app had been glitchy, a common issue growing tech companies face.

From Washington Post

My goal is to continue to lead the DNC tech team and have that stability, have that continuity, make sure that we can start looking ahead to 2022, 2024, and that we’ve reversed sort of the trend around spurts and stops.

From MIT Technology Review

Their results suggest that even early animals had relatively complex genomes because of an unprecedented spurt of gene duplication early in life’s history.

From Quanta Magazine

The little sister brand to Marc Jacobs has gone through a difficult growth spurt over the past few years.

From The Daily Beast

He also found it difficult to book roles because he experienced a huge growth spurt and was still in the process of filling out.

From The Daily Beast

It has made people squirm and spurt out apologies, and it has made my face burn a darker red.

From The Daily Beast

(Since then, he has gone through a growth spurt of a foot and 100 pounds).

From The Daily Beast

That spurt in the private sector set the stage for his congressional career.

From The Daily Beast

This made it necessary to put on a spurt to regain lost distance, but on such ground the speed was dangerous.

From Project Gutenberg

But that sudden spurt of speed on the part of the gray sedan was a dead give-away.

From Project Gutenberg

With the next fellow as a goal, he gradually crept alongside, and passed him with a spurt.

From Project Gutenberg

But the sight of a fireplace and plenty of dry wood ready to flame up at the spurt of a match heartened them somewhat.

From Project Gutenberg

Plates are changed, corks pop, and from time to time a seltzogene gives a spurt and a cough.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ooze
• spew