blurt

American

[blurt] / blɜrt /

verb (used with object)

to utter suddenly or inadvertently; divulge impulsively or unadvisedly (usually followed byout ).

He blurted out the hiding place of the spy.

noun

an abrupt utterance.

blurt British

/ blɜːt /

verb

to utter suddenly and involuntarily

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of blurt

First recorded in 1565–75; apparently imitative

Explanation

If you blurt something out, you're speaking abruptly and without thinking about what you're saying. Usually, when you blurt something, you end up regretting it. Saying something without considering your words can end up making you feel stupid or hurting someone's feelings — just imagine what might happen if you were to blurt out what you really think about your grandmother's cooking. The best thing about the word blurt is that it's onomatopoeic, or a word that sounds exactly like what it means.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"If I see something on Instagram I'm not going to tell someone or blurt it out to the team because they don't want to see it. I think it's a personal preference."

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2025

Asked how he felt at the end, a near-delirious Dudamel could barely blurt out “craaaazzzy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2025

Any mind blurt or ridiculous thought that minnowed behind our eyeballs Midjourney absorbed and spat out.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2025

She didn't blurt out anything crazy or storm out of the room; however, she was devastated.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2023

“I feel like I should keep my options open,” I blurt.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023