splutter

1 of 2

noun

splut·​ter ˈsplə-tər 

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

ˈsplə-tər-ər 

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

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

Government revenue can’t keep up with spending as the economy splutters and politicians squabble before May elections. —Donna Abu-Nasr, Bloomberg.com, 5 Mar. 2018

Verb

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

The coach should take some responsibility for that; almost a year into his tenure, his team is still spluttering. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024

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

Kids Definition

splutter

1 of 2 noun

splut·​ter ˈsplət-ər 

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