# erupt

/ˈiɹəpt/ (US) · /ɪɹˈʌpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/erupt
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. volcanoes

verb · CEFR B2

to explode and throw out fire, ash, and melted rock.

For teachers: to eject molten rock, ash, and gases suddenly and violently from a volcanic vent or geyser.

- The volcano erupted last night, covering the nearby village in a layer of grey ash.
- Geologists monitored the seismic activity for weeks before the mountain finally erupted, sending a plume of ash miles into the atmosphere.

Usage: The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

### 2. emotions or sounds

verb · CEFR B2

to suddenly start making a loud noise or showing a strong feeling.

For teachers: to give vent to sudden, loud, or intense emotion or sound.

- The crowd erupted in cheers when the player scored the winning goal.
- The courtroom erupted into chaos as the verdict was read, forcing the judge to call for immediate order.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'in' or 'into'.

### 3. violence or disease

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to start suddenly, like a fight, a war, or a rash on your skin.

For teachers: to break out or appear suddenly and intensely, especially regarding social unrest or physical symptoms.

- Violence erupted in the city streets after the controversial new law was passed.
- Medical staff were concerned when a strange rash erupted across the patient's torso shortly after the treatment began.

### 4. teeth

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

when a new tooth grows through the gum in your mouth.

For teachers: to emerge through the gingiva or gum tissue during the process of dental development.

- Babies often become fussy and cry more when their first teeth start to erupt.
- The dentist used the X-ray to determine if the wisdom teeth were likely to erupt in a crowded position.

## Examples

- The volcano might erupt at any moment.
- The crowd began to erupt in cheers as the home team scored the winning goal in the final seconds.
- Geologists monitored the seismic activity closely, fearing the mountain would erupt before the local authorities could complete the mandatory evacuation of the surrounding villages.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.