erupt

1 of 3

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

erupted; erupting; erupts

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to burst from limits or restraint

(2)

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

b

: to force out or release suddenly and often violently something (such as lava or steam) that is pent up

c

: to become active or violent especially suddenly : break forth

war could erupt at any moment

the audience erupted in applause

2

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

transitive verb

: to force out or release usually suddenly and violently

a volcano erupting lava and ash

eruptible

i-ˈrəp-tə-bəl 

adjective

eruptive

i-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

eruptively adverb

eruptive

2 of 3

adjective

erup·​tive -ptiv 

-tēv also -təv

1

a

: erupting or tending to erupt : bursting forth : breaking out

describes a geyser as an intermittently eruptive hot spring

the eruptive imagery of the poem

: having the character of an eruption

a brawl was the first eruptive result of the rising hostility

b

: characterized by eruption

the eruptive stage of smallpox

eruptive letters full of outbursts of anger or joking

2

: producing eruption

an eruptive fever

3

: produced by eruption

—usually used of intrusive rocks (such as granite, diorite, and gabbro) or extrusive rocks (such as rhyolite, andesite, and basalt)

eruptively

-tə̇vlē, 

-li

adverb

eruptiveness

-tivnə̇s, 

-tēv- also -təv-

noun

plural -es

eruptive

3 of 3

noun

"

plural -s

: an igneous rock

Synonyms of erupt

Verb

• eject
• expel
• spit
• emit
• spurt
• spew
• disgorge
• belch

Examples of erupt in a Sentence

Verb

The volcano erupted with tremendous force.

A bitter dispute has erupted among the members of the team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The fire erupted late Thursday in an Omis suburb and quickly spread because of strong wind. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Michigan cases Michigan was the most affected state in the outbreak that erupted this summer, though the rate of increase per day is slowing compared to a couple of weeks ago. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

His earlier display of emotion made the song’s meaning hit even harder — and as the crowd erupted into jumps and shouts of glee, Smith stood there, a grin growing on his lipsticked mouth. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Brouhaha erupts Martin was ejected in the third inning Thursday after throwing two pitches at the head of Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, who had homered in the first inning. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin eruptus, past participle of erumpere to burst forth, from e- + rumpere to break — more at reave

Adjective

eruption + -ive

First Known Use

Verb

1657, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing erupt

• erupt in laughter

Rhymes for erupt

• abrupt
• corrupt
• disrupt
• cupped
• supped
• upped
• interrupt

Kids Definition

erupt

verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

: to burst forth or cause to burst forth : explode

2

: to break through a surface

teeth erupting from the gum

3

: to break out with or as if with a skin eruption

eruptive

-ˈrəp-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

erupt

intransitive verb

i-ˈrəpt 

1

of a tooth : to emerge through the gum

2

: to break out (as with a skin eruption)

eruptive

-tiv 

adjective