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erupt

/əˈrəpt/

/ɛˈrəpt/

Other forms: erupted; erupting; erupts

A rash, a volcano, applause, violence, all of these are things that are prone to erupt, meaning they suddenly become active.

The word erupt has origins in the Latin word eruptus, the past participle of erumpere, meaning to burst forth. This lively verb can be used to describe anything that is released in a quick, violent burst, such as a bomb exploding or lava spewing forth from a volcano or even laughter. It can also be used to describe the arrival of things that burst through more quietly (but often more painfully), such as a skin condition or a tooth that’s breaking through one's gum.

Definitions of erupt
  1. verb
    start abruptly
    synonyms: break out
    see moresee less
    type of:
    begin, start
    have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense
  2. verb
    erupt or intensify suddenly
    “Unrest erupted in the country”
    synonyms: break open, burst out, flare, flare up, irrupt
    see moresee less
    type of:
    deepen, intensify
    become more intense
  3. verb
    become active and spew forth lava and rocks
    “Vesuvius erupts once in a while”
    synonyms: belch, extravasate
    see moresee less
    type of:
    burst, explode
    burst outward, usually with noise
  4. verb
    force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
    erupt in anger”
    synonyms: break, burst
    see moresee less
    type of:
    express emotion, express feelings
    give verbal or other expression to one's feelings
  5. verb
    start to burn or burst into flames
    synonyms: catch fire, combust, conflagrate, ignite, take fire
    burn, combust
    cause to burn or combust
    see moresee less
    types:
    blow out
    erupt in an uncontrolled manner
    catch
    start burning
    light up
    start to burn with a bright flame
    type of:
    change state, turn
    undergo a transformation or a change of position or action
  6. verb
    appear on the skin
    “A rash erupted on her arms after she had touched the exotic plant”
    Synonyms:
    break through, come out, push through
    break out
    see moresee less
    type of:
    appear
    come into sight or view
  7. verb
    break out
    “The tooth erupted and had to be extracted”
    synonyms: break through, come out, push through
    see moresee less
    types:
    dehisce
    burst or split open
    type of:
    appear
    come into sight or view
  8. verb
    become raw or open
    synonyms: break out, recrudesce
    see moresee less
    type of:
    ail, pain, trouble
    cause bodily suffering to and make sick or indisposed
Pronunciation
US

/əˈrəpt/

UK

/ɛˈrəpt/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘erupt'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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