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

Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential candidate, is very much aware of the harsh backlash to a potential settlement that erupted among Congressional Democrats, A-listers like Mark Ruffalo and others as deal talks accelerated. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026

However, this doesn't seem to be the case with the jets erupting from blazar 3C 345. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Video of Saturday's operation released by SOUTHCOM shows a vessel moving through the water before erupting into a massive fireball. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

During surveillance, Joe recognizes one of the men involved in her abduction, setting off an operation that erupts into a deadly restaurant shootout. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 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