sprout

verb

\ ˈsprau̇t

sprouted; sprouting; sprouts

Definition of sprout

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to grow, spring up, or come forth as or as if a sprout

2 : to send out new growth

transitive verb

: to send forth or up : cause to develop : grow

sprout

noun

Definition of sprout (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : shoot sense 1a especially : a young shoot (as from a seed or root)

b sprouts plural

(1) chiefly British : brussels sprout sense 2

(2) : edible sprouts especially from recently germinated seeds (as of alfalfa or mung beans)

2 : something resembling a sprout: such as

a : a young person

b : scion sense 2

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sprout

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Synonyms & Antonyms for sprout

Synonyms: Noun

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms: Noun

adult, grown-up

Examples of sprout in a Sentence

Verb

seeds sprouting in the spring Potatoes will sprout in the bag if kept in a warm place. The garden is sprouting weeds. The tree is already sprouting leaves. He sprouted a beard since the last time I saw him. She dreamed that her boss had sprouted horns. Hair sprouted on his face.

Noun

he earned the admiration of the neighborhood sprouts when he showed them how to make a slingshot the raspberry bushes began sending out sprouts in early spring

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Perennial grasses and wildflowers sprouted the first year after the fires and flowered profusely the second year. — Kristen Pope, Discover Magazine, "Wildfire Engulfed Yellowstone 30 Years Ago. Its Recovery Could Predict The Future of the West," 12 Nov. 2018 In spring, clusters of light pink flowers, each with four narrow petals, sprout from branch tips. — Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, "Let this ‘Purple Pixie’ bring a little color to the garden," 29 June 2018 In a strange kitchen, nails sprout from a piece of bread and little skulls burst out of eggs and dash away. — Patrick Friel, Chicago Reader, "Film / Foreign / On Video Five masters of stop-motion animation," 12 June 2018 Down the block, a cluster of high-rise rental buildings sprouts from the vale of parking lots and one-story warehouses. — Justin Davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "Downtown Nashville Is Supposed to Be the Model of the Walkable 21st-Century City. I’m Not So Sure.," 8 June 2018 The longtime midtown Phoenix home of Arizona's first Mercedes dealership has sprouted new apartments. — Catherine Reagor, azcentral, "Central Phoenix Mercedes dealership property turned into new apartments," 8 June 2018 What's more, new plants readily sprout from stem fragments, so removal efforts like raking or pulling may contribute to their spread. — Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, "Watch out for parrot feathers on Michigan waterways," 8 May 2018 In Egypt, as Mr. MacGregor shows, priests fashioned earthen figurines of the agriculture god Osiris, implanting them with seeds and burying them after each harvest to sprout new corn. — Andrew Stark, WSJ, "‘Living With the Gods’ Review: The Gang’s All Here," 16 Nov. 2018 Von Hep shared a photo to Instagram of a suspiciously tan foot sprouting out from a very, well, not tanned ankle. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Woman's Foot Self-Tanner Fail Is Going Viral on Instagram," 16 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Imagine popping to the store to pick up your final ribbons, wrapping paper, and sprouts—only to find actual Kate Middleton browsing the novelty festive socks and Prince George checking out the slime offerings. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton Took Prince George and Princess Charlotte Christmas Shopping at a Bargain Store," 24 Dec. 2018 Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until sprouts are tender, stirring twice. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts," 23 Oct. 2018 Besides the traditional salads, stuffings, and soups, chestnuts pair well with pretty much all of your favorite fall and winter flavors, including apples, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turkey, pork, sage, thyme, and mushroom. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "4 Surprising Health Benefits of Chestnuts," 13 Dec. 2018 Top with ½ cup alfalfa sprouts, halved hard boiled egg and ½ avocado, quartered lengthwise. — Eleanore Park, WSJ, "How to Win the Weekday Lunch Game," 30 Aug. 2018 In February, the restaurant served it with braised Brussels sprouts. — Jeanmarie Brownson, charlotteobserver, "Warm cheese meets fresh herbs in a happy springtime marriage," 19 June 2018 Toss the onion in a bowl with the blanched Brussels sprouts; set aside. — Carole Kotkin, miamiherald, "Italian gremolata is great with sandwiches, meats, fish vegetables | Miami Herald," 2 Mar. 2018 The star’s relationship with Brussels sprouts is far from over though. — Collier Sutter, PEOPLE.com, "Kumail Nanjiani Had to Eat a Bowl of His Least Favorite Vegetable After Losing an Oscars Bet to Edgar Wright," 26 Jan. 2018 In nature, there is no distinction between verdant sprouts and decaying leaves: The entire life cycle exists on one axis. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Your Sign's October 2018 Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 30 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sprout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.