Word
outburst
Phoneticsout·burst, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtˌbɝst/
UK/ˈaʊtbɜːst/
Definitions
01emotional release
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a sudden, strong expression of a feeling like anger, sadness, or excitement.
n. a sudden and often uncontrolled expression of strong emotion, typically directed at others.
“He later apologised for his angry outburst during the staff meeting.”
“The witness's emotional outburst in the courtroom forced the judge to call for a brief recess to restore order.”
Antonyms
02sudden activity
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical
n. a sudden increase in activity or energy.
n. a sudden, brief period of intense activity or energy release.
“The sun produced a massive outburst of energy that affected satellite signals.”
“Astronomers monitored the stellar outburst, noting the significant increase in luminosity over a period of just forty-eight hours.”
Real-World Examples
“They were happy at first, but Sarah says he was controlling and prone to angry outbursts.” “From Earth or space, total solar eclipses provide opportunities to study the corona and the energetic outbursts released by the sun.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English outbersten, outbresten. Cognate with Dutch uitbarsten (“to erupt; burst out”), German ausbersten (“to burst out; erupt”). By surface analysis, out- + burst.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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