[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/splutter/)

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# splutter

verb (splutter, splutters, spluttered, spluttering); noun (a splutter, splutters)

«splutter» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To speak quickly and with difficulty, making spitting sounds, because you are angry, shocked or embarrassed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#m1)
2. To cough or spit noisily, as when choking on food or water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#m2)
3. (of an engine or fire) To make a series of short, uneven popping noises. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories «spluttered» shows a character is shocked or furious and can't speak smoothly. It also describes a choking cough or an old car engine starting badly. Phrases: «splutter into life», «spluttered with laughter».

### Examples

- "But — but — that's not fair!" he spluttered. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x1)
- She spluttered when the water went up her nose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x2)
- The old car spluttered and stopped. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x3)
- The candle spluttered in the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x4)
- I spluttered with laughter at the joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x5)
- The engine spluttered into life. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x6)
- "What do you mean?" spluttered the Prince. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb; double t. Similar: sputter (more common in the USA for engines), stammer (speaking with breaks).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «splutter» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/splutter/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«splutter» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/splutter.html) on Mova free.