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

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

And with Europe's two largest economies already spluttering, the new year may herald a new era for both the European Union and the United States. —Willem Marx, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024

The extent to which his team are dysfunctional is almost untrue, but a spluttering bandwagon rolls on. —Phil Hay, The Athletic, 1 July 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