# squirt

/ˈskwɝt/ (US) · /skwˈɜːt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to eject liquid

verb · CEFR B2

to force a liquid out of a small hole in a thin, fast stream.

For teachers: to eject a liquid in a rapid, narrow stream from a small orifice. Often used both transitively (to squirt water) and intransitively (water squirted out).

- Be careful when you cut the lemon, or the juice might squirt into your eye.
- The pressurized container malfunctioned, causing the cleaning solution to squirt across the laboratory bench and onto the technician's protective gear.

### 2. to hit with liquid

verb · CEFR B2

to aim a stream of liquid at someone or something.

For teachers: to direct a thin stream of liquid at a specific target.

- The children spent the afternoon squirting each other with water guns in the garden.
- During the festival, participants traditionally squirt colored water at one another to celebrate the arrival of spring.

### 4. a small stream

noun · CEFR B2

a small, quick stream of liquid.

For teachers: a brief, forceful ejection of liquid; a jet.

- Add a quick squirt of dish soap to the water before you start washing.
- A single squirt of the lubricant was sufficient to stop the hinge from squeaking.

### 5. a small person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a name for a small child or someone you think is unimportant and annoying.

For teachers: a diminutive or insignificant person; often used as a mildly derogatory term for a child or a young, pretentious individual.

- Move out of the way, you little squirt.
- The older boys refused to let the neighborhood squirt join their football game, claiming he was too small to keep up.

Teaching tip: While sometimes used affectionately by family members, it can be perceived as belittling when used by strangers.

## Examples

- Be careful not to squirt lemon juice in your eye.
- The chef showed us how to squirt a perfect line of chocolate sauce across the dessert plate.
- As the pressure in the pipe reached its limit, water began to squirt through the tiny cracks in the seal, drenching the floor before the valve could be closed.

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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.