spring
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.the season between winter and summer when plants start to grow.
n.the temperate season between winter and summer, characterized by rising temperatures and the resumption of plant growth.
Simple“The flowers in the garden always look beautiful in the spring.”
In context“Farmers across the region are preparing their fields for the spring planting, hoping for a mild season without late frosts.”
UsageUsually used with 'the' or as a proper noun in specific contexts, though lowercase is standard.
Synonyms - 02 A2 Elementary
n.a piece of curved metal that returns to its shape after being pushed.
n.an elastic object, typically a helical metal coil, that stores mechanical energy.
Simple“The springs in the old mattress were so worn that it was uncomfortable.”
In context“The engineer specified a heavy-duty steel spring to ensure the valve would close even under high pressure.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a place where water comes naturally out of the ground.
n.a natural point of groundwater discharge where the aquifer surface meets the ground.
Simple“We hiked up the mountain to find the fresh water spring.”
In context“The village was originally settled near a thermal spring, which provided a reliable source of warm water throughout the winter.”
Synonymsfountainwellspring - 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to move or jump suddenly and quickly.
v.to move suddenly or rapidly upward or forward; to leap.
Simple“The cat was ready to spring onto the mouse at any moment.”
In context“As the starting pistol fired, the athletes seemed to spring from the blocks with explosive power.”
UsageThe past tense is 'sprang' and the past participle is 'sprung'.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to appear or start to exist suddenly.
v.to arise or emerge suddenly from a source or state.
Simple“New coffee shops began to spring up all over the city.”
In context“A feeling of hope began to spring in her heart after she heard the good news.”
UsageOften used with the particle 'up'.
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to suddenly tell someone news or show them something they did not expect.
v.to produce, provide, or disclose something unexpectedly.
Simple“I didn't want to spring the bad news on him while he was eating.”
In context“The defense attorney decided to spring the new evidence during the final hour of the trial to catch the prosecution off guard.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'on' followed by the person being surprised.
- 07 C1 Advanced
v.to help someone get out of prison, often illegally.
v.to secure the release of someone from custody or imprisonment.
Simple“In the movie, the hero tries to spring his friend from jail.”
In context“The gang plotted for months to spring their leader from the high-security facility during a transport transfer.”
UsageTransitive verb; often used with 'from'.
- 08 C1 Advanced
v.to pay for something, especially as a treat for someone else.
v.to pay for or spend money on something, often unexpectedly or as a gesture.
Simple“Since it was my birthday, my brother offered to spring for dinner.”
In context“The company decided to spring for first-class tickets to reward the sales team for their record-breaking quarter.”
UsageIntransitive; almost always used with the preposition 'for'.