splutter

1 of 2

noun

splut·​ter ˈsplə-tər How to pronounce splutter (audio)
1
: a confused noise (as of hasty speaking)
2
: a splashing or sputtering sound

splutter

2 of 2

verb

spluttered; spluttering; splutters

transitive verb

: to utter hastily or confusedly : stammer

intransitive verb

1
: to make a noise as if spitting
2
: to speak hastily and confusedly
splutterer noun

Examples of splutter in a Sentence

Verb She coughed and spluttered as she climbed out of the icy water. When I demanded an explanation, he just stood there spluttering. “Th-that's simply not true,” he spluttered.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The end of year push was looking good until the latest service splutter. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 Some golden generations splutter and cough and, sealed in a bubble of entitlement, never come close to delivering. Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, 10 July 2018
Verb
Conversely, the Cowboys have spluttered to their 3-2 start. Ben Morse, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024 Since then the German economy has spluttered like a car that’s continuously stalling as higher energy costs put the brakes on Germany’s vast industrial base. Simon Constable, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for splutter 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'splutter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably alteration of sputter

First Known Use

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of splutter was in 1677

Dictionary Entries Near splutter

Cite this Entry

“Splutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splutter. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

splutter

1 of 2 noun
splut·​ter ˈsplət-ər How to pronounce splutter (audio)
1
: a confused noise (as of trying to talk too fast)
2
: a splashing or sputtering sound

splutter

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a noise as if spitting
2
: to speak or say in haste or confusion

More from Merriam-Webster on splutter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!