erupt

/ɪˈrʌpt/ (bre, ipa) · [ɪrˈʌpt] /ɪˈrʌpt/ (ame, ipa) · [ɪrˈʌpt] /i-ˈrəpt/ (ame, mw)

erupt — verb

  • eruptpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • eruptshe / she / it
  • eruptedpast simple
  • erupting-ing form

1. A volcano erupts when it suddenly sends out lava, ash, steam, and rocks through

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

A volcano erupts when it suddenly sends out lava, ash, steam, and rocks through an opening in the earth's surface, often with great force.

例句

Mount Fuji has not erupted since 1707, but scientists still monitor it closely.

volcano name + erupt + time reference

The volcano on the small island erupted without warning, sending ash miles into the sky.

erupt + without warning + ash + sky

同義詞
  • explode

    suggests a sudden loud burst with fragments flying out, but not specific to volcanoes

  • blow

    informal; a volcano blows or blows its top, common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • lie dormant

    a volcano that could erupt but is currently inactive

文法句型

volcano + erupt

erupt + (from + location)

用法筆記

Subject is always a volcano or a volcanic feature. In everyday conversation, people also use this sense figuratively for any sudden, violent release, but the core meaning is geological.

常見錯誤

❌The volcano exploded, sending lava everywhere.
✅The volcano erupted, sending lava everywhere.
💡Explode suggests a bomb-like blast; erupt is the correct verb for volcanic activity.

2. Of a war, fight, protest, or other violent event: to begin or break out suddenly

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

Of a war, fight, protest, or other violent event: to begin or break out suddenly and with great force, often after a period of tension.

例句

Fighting erupted between the two groups after weeks of tension.

fighting + erupted + between [groups] + after [period]

Quan heard shouting and realised a violent argument had erupted in the street outside.

person + heard + argument + erupted in [place]

同義詞
  • break out

    less dramatic; used for fires, diseases, and wars equally

  • flare up

    suggests a temporary return of conflict that had calmed down

  • explode

    stronger and more destructive in tone

反義詞
  • subside

    the conflict becomes less intense

  • die down

    gradual decrease in intensity

文法句型

conflict/war/violence + erupt

erupt + between + groups

erupt + along + border

用法筆記

Very common in news reporting. The subject is an abstract noun such as fighting, violence, war, conflict, protest, argument. The preposition along can indicate a border or front line; between indicates two opposing sides.

常見錯誤

❌The war started suddenly last night.
✅The war erupted last night.
💡Erupted emphasises the sudden and violent nature of the beginning.

3. To suddenly start laughing, shouting, or expressing a strong feeling in a noisy

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

To suddenly start laughing, shouting, or expressing a strong feeling in a noisy and uncontrolled way.

例句

Laughter erupted from the audience when the actor slipped on stage.

laughter + erupted + from + [group] + when + [event]

Hari erupted in anger when he found out someone had scratched his new car.

[person] + erupted in anger + when + [trigger event]

同義詞
  • burst out

    slightly less intense; burst out laughing / burst into tears

  • explode

    stronger, suggests a loss of control, usually with anger

反義詞

文法句型

erupt + in/into + [emotion]

erupt + with + [emotion]

用法筆記

Common patterns: erupt in/into + emotion noun (anger, laughter, tears, applause, giggles). Erupt with is also possible (erupt with laughter). The emotion can be positive (laughter, applause) or negative (anger, rage).

常見錯誤

❌He erupted laughing when he heard the joke.
✅He erupted in laughter when he heard the joke.
💡The emotion follows in or into, not a bare participle.

4. Of spots, a rash, or bumps: to appear suddenly on the surface of the skin, often

4.動詞不及物C1
釋義

Of spots, a rash, or bumps: to appear suddenly on the surface of the skin, often as a sign of an allergy or illness.

例句

A rash erupted on Luca's arms after he touched the strange plant in the garden.

rash + erupted on [body part] + after + [trigger event]

Red spots erupted across the baby's face, so her mother called the doctor straight away.

spots + erupted across [body part] + result clause

同義詞
  • appear

    neutral and general; no implication of suddenness

  • break out

    common for skin conditions: 'She broke out in a rash'

反義詞
  • fade

    spots or a rash gradually disappear

  • clear up

    the skin condition goes away, often with treatment

文法句型

spots/rash + erupt + on + [body part]

skin + erupt + in + [condition]

用法筆記

Common in medical contexts. The subject can be the skin condition itself (a rash erupted) or the body part with a rash (his back erupted in a rash). This sense is typically not used with a human subject as the agent.

常見錯誤

❌He erupted spots on his face.
✅Spots erupted on his face.' or 'His face erupted in spots.
💡The person is not the agent; the spots or the skin area is the subject.

5. Of a tooth: to push through the gum and become visible in the mouth — something

5.動詞不及物C1
釋義

Of a tooth: to push through the gum and become visible in the mouth — something that happens once per tooth as a child grows.

例句

The baby's first tooth erupted when she was eight months old.

[possessive] first tooth + erupted + time clause

Rin's wisdom teeth are beginning to erupt, and her gums feel quite sore.

wisdom teeth + erupt + gums + sore

同義詞
  • come through

    informal everyday expression: 'The tooth is coming through'

  • emerge

    more formal but less technical than erupt

文法句型

tooth + erupt

erupt + through + gum

用法筆記

A technical term used in dentistry and medical contexts. In everyday conversation, parents and patients are more likely to say a tooth is coming through or cutting through the gum. The subject is always a specific tooth or type of tooth.