Pronunciation: /ˈspʌdər/

Definitions of sputter

noun a series of soft explosive or spitting sounds

Example Sentences

A1 The old car made a sputter noise before finally starting.

A2 The sputter of the engine indicated that it needed some maintenance.

B1 The sputter of the firewood catching fire filled the room with warmth.

B2 The sputter of the faulty microphone caused disruptions during the presentation.

C1 The sputter of the espresso machine signaled that it needed to be cleaned.

C2 The sputter of the engine was a clear sign that it needed immediate attention from a mechanic.

verb to make a series of soft explosive or spitting sounds

Example Sentences

A1 The old car sputtered as it struggled to start.

A2 The faulty engine sputtered and then died completely.

B1 The fireworks sputtered and sparkled in the night sky.

B2 The old motorcycle sputtered to life after sitting in the garage for years.

C1 The politician's speech sputtered as he struggled to find the right words.

C2 The candle sputtered and flickered in the dimly lit room.

Examples of sputter in a Sentence

formal The engine began to sputter as the fuel filter became clogged.

informal I could hear the old car sputter as it struggled to start.

slang The motorcycle sputtered to life after a few tries.

figurative His argument started to sputter when he couldn't provide any evidence.

Grammatical Forms of sputter

past tense

sputtered

plural

sputters

comparative

more sputtering

superlative

most sputtering

present tense

sputter

future tense

will sputter

perfect tense

have sputtered

continuous tense

is sputtering

singular

sputter

positive degree

sputter

infinitive

to sputter

gerund

sputtering

participle

sputtering

Origin and Evolution of sputter

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Middle Dutch
Story behind the word: The word 'sputter' is believed to have originated from the Middle Dutch word 'spetteren' which means to splash or spatter.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe the sound or action of something splashing or spattering, the word 'sputter' evolved over time to also refer to the act of speaking in a hesitant or incoherent manner, as well as the sound made by an engine misfiring or running unevenly.