SPUTTER
Dictionary entry overview: What does sputter mean?
• SPUTTER (noun)
The noun SPUTTER has 2 senses:
1. the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively
2. an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage)
Familiarity information: SPUTTER used as a noun is rare.
• SPUTTER (verb)
The verb SPUTTER has 5 senses:
1. make an explosive sound
2. cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed
3. climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
4. utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage
5. spit up in an explosive manner
Familiarity information: SPUTTER used as a verb is common.
Dictionary entry details
• SPUTTER (noun)
Meaning:
The noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
sputtering; sputter; splutter; splattering; splatter; spattering; spatter
Context example:
he heard a spatter of gunfire
Hypernyms ("sputter" is a kind of...):
noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))
Meaning:
An utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
splutter; sputter
Hypernyms ("sputter" is a kind of...):
utterance; vocalization (the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication)
• SPUTTER (verb)
Meaning:
Make an explosive sound
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Context example:
sputtering engines
Hypernyms (to "sputter" is one way to...):
pop (make a sharp explosive noise)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
The solar wind protons must sputter away the surface atoms of the dust
Hypernyms (to "sputter" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
skin; shinny; shin; clamber; scramble; sputter; struggle
Hypernyms (to "sputter" is one way to...):
climb (move with difficulty, by grasping)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Utter with a spitting sound, as if in a rage
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
splutter; sputter
Hypernyms (to "sputter" is one way to...):
emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence examples:
Cars sputter in the streets
The streets sputter with cars
Meaning:
Spit up in an explosive manner
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Synonyms:
spit out; splutter; sputter
Hypernyms (to "sputter" is one way to...):
cough out; cough up; expectorate; spit out; spit up (discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
