# gush

/ˈɡəʃ/ (US) · /ɡˈʌʃ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to flow out quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to flow out suddenly and in a large amount.

For teachers: to emit or flow forth suddenly and in great volume; can be used transitively or intransitively.

- Water started to gush out of the broken pipe in the basement.
- Oil began to gush from the well at an alarming rate, overwhelming the initial containment measures installed by the crew.

### 2. to praise excessively

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to speak or write with so much enthusiasm that it seems a bit too much.

For teachers: to express oneself with exaggerated enthusiasm, praise, or emotion. Often carries a slightly negative connotation of being insincere or overwhelming.

- I wish she wouldn't gush over my new car; it's just a normal vehicle.
- The critics began to gush about the lead actor's performance, using superlatives that many felt were somewhat premature given the film's weak script.

### 3. a sudden flow

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden, strong flow of liquid.

For teachers: a sudden and rapid physical outflow of a fluid.

- A gush of cold air entered the room when he opened the window.
- The sudden gush of water from the dam's release valve sent a powerful surge down the dry riverbed.

## Examples

- A small gush of water came from the broken pipe.
- The technician fixed the leak before a large gush of oil could cause a fire in the engine room.
- The sudden gush of relief was palpable in the room as the final test results were announced, signaling the end of a long and stressful semester.

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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.