# sprout

/ˈspɹaʊt/ (US) · /spɹˈaʊt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. new plant growth

noun · CEFR B2

a new part of a plant, like a leaf or stem, that is just beginning to grow.

For teachers: a new growth on a plant, such as a bud or shoot, emerging from a seed or an existing stem.

- After the rain, small green sprouts appeared on the branches of the old tree.
- The gardener carefully inspected the delicate sprouts emerging from the soil, ensuring the frost had not damaged the young seedlings.

### 2. edible germinated seeds

noun · CEFR B2

seeds that have just started to grow and are eaten as a healthy food.

For teachers: germinated seeds, such as alfalfa or mung beans, typically consumed raw or lightly cooked for their nutritional value.

- I like to add bean sprouts to my salad for a bit of crunch.
- The chef garnished the stir-fry with fresh bean sprouts to provide a crisp texture that contrasted with the tender noodles.

### 3. Brussels sprout

noun · CEFR B1

a small, round, green vegetable that looks like a tiny cabbage.

For teachers: a small, edible green bud of the Brassica oleracea plant, resembling a miniature cabbage.

- We usually have roasted sprouts with our big dinner at Christmas.
- Many children dislike the bitter taste of boiled sprouts, though roasting them with balsamic vinegar often improves their appeal.

### 4. to begin growing

verb · CEFR B2

to start to grow or produce new parts.

For teachers: to produce new growth or to begin the process of germination.

- The seeds we planted last week are finally starting to sprout.
- Under the right conditions of moisture and warmth, the dormant seeds will sprout within a matter of days.

### 5. to appear suddenly

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to appear or grow quickly and in large numbers.

For teachers: to emerge or develop rapidly and often in an unplanned or haphazard manner.

- New coffee shops are sprouting up all over the city lately.
- Dozens of luxury apartment complexes have sprouted along the waterfront, fundamentally changing the city's skyline within a single decade.

## Examples

- The seeds are starting to produce a tiny green sprout.
- After the heavy spring rains, every branch on the old oak tree was covered in a fresh green sprout.
- The chef garnished the dish with a delicate alfalfa sprout to add a crisp texture and a subtle, nutty flavour that complemented the roasted root vegetables.

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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.