ENGLISH
REFERENCE

erupt

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈiɹəpt// UK //ɪɹˈʌpt// erupt General-service

v. to explode or burst out suddenly. You use this to describe a volcano throwing out fire and rocks, or a person suddenly showing a strong feeling like anger or laughter.

v. to burst forth suddenly and violently from a restrained state. Often used to describe volcanic activity or the sudden, spontaneous onset of a loud noise or intense emotion.


SIMPLE

The volcano might erupt at any moment.

CONTEXTUAL

The crowd began to erupt in cheers as the home team scored the winning goal in the final seconds.

COMPLEX

Geologists monitored the seismic activity closely, fearing the mountain would erupt before the local authorities could complete the mandatory evacuation of the surrounding villages.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin eruptus, past participle of ērumpō (“to break out (of), to burst out (from)”), from e (“out”) + rumpō (“to break”).

Usage

The verb is intransitive when describing a volcano or a general situation, but often takes the preposition 'in' or 'into' when describing a sudden emotional reaction.

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