squirt

[ skwurt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to eject liquid in a jet from a narrow orifice:

   The hose squirted all over us.

2. to eject a spurt of liquid:

   The lemon squirted in my eye.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause (liquid or a viscous substance) to spurt or issue in a jet, as from a narrow orifice:

   Squirt the water over that way!

2. to wet or bespatter with a liquid or viscous substance so ejected:

   to squirt someone with a hose.

noun

1. the act of squirting.
2. a spurt or jetlike stream, as of water.

   Synonyms: livestream, spray, jet

3. a small quantity of liquid or viscous substance squirted:

   Put a squirt of chocolate sauce on my ice cream.

4. Informal.
   1. a youngster, especially a meddlesome or impudent one.
   2. a short person.
   3. an insignificant, self-assertive person, especially one who is small or young.
5. an instrument for squirting, as a syringe.
6. Usually squirts. Dialect. diarrhea.

squirt

/ skwɜːt /

verb

1. to force (a liquid) or (of a liquid) to be forced out of a narrow opening
2. tr to cover or spatter with liquid so ejected

noun

1. a jet or amount of liquid so ejected
2. the act or an instance of squirting
3. an instrument used for squirting
4. informal.
   1. a person regarded as insignificant or contemptible
   2. a short person

Derived Forms

• ˈsquirter, noun

Other Words From

• squirter noun
• squirting·ly adverb
• un·squirted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirt¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb squirten, apparently variant of swirten; cognate with Low German swirtjen in the same sense; perhaps akin to swirl; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirt¹

C15: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Anthony Davis had it squirt through his usually sure hands.

From Los Angeles Times

His efforts and those of a second fan did cause the ball to squirt out of Betts’ glove, but Torres was called out anyway because of the interference.

From Los Angeles Times

The other fan then grabbed the wrist of Betts’ throwing hand and yanked on it so the outfielder couldn’t grab the ball, which squirted out of Betts’ glove and fell onto the dirt warning track.

From Los Angeles Times

A lawsuit says a boy was expelled over emails to another boy; one said, “You dead yet” with squirt guns.

From Los Angeles Times

The parents of a fifth-grader are suing an elite private Mulholland Drive elementary school after their son was expelled over emails he exchanged with a classmate containing rap lyrics and the squirt gun emoji.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pour
• spatter
• spit
• splash
• spray
• sprinkle