sputter

/ˈspʌtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [spˈʌtɚ] /ˈspʌtər/ (ame, ipa) · [spˈʌtɚ] /ˈspə-tər How to pronounce sputter (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈspʌt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [spˈʌtɚ] /ˈspʌt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

sputter — 動詞

  • sputterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • sputtershe / she / it
  • sputteredpast simple
  • sputtering-ing form

1. to make repeated small popping sounds, often while tiny drops of liquid or bits

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

噗噗作響

發出短促爆裂聲，常伴隨油滴或碎屑噴出

to make repeated small popping sounds, often while tiny drops of liquid or bits of food jump out

例句

The old scooter sputtered for a second, then rolled out of the alley.

那輛老速克達噗噗作響了一下，接著從巷子裡滑出去。

engine + sputter for broken popping noise

Fat sputtered in the pan when Jin dropped the fish in.

Jin 把魚下鍋時，鍋裡的油立刻噗噗作響。

hot oil/fat + sputter

同義詞
  • splutter

    very close in meaning; more common in British English, especially with liquid or food spraying out

  • crackle

    describes many dry sharp sounds rather than broken stop-start popping

  • spit

    often used of hot oil or rain on a fire; focuses more on tiny drops shooting out

反義詞
  • hum

    suggests a smooth, steady machine sound

  • burn steadily

    describes an even flame without broken pops

文法句型

engine/fire/oil + sputter

sputter in the pan

用法筆記

Often used for engines, fires, lamps, and hot oil. When used about a person, it can suggest crumbs, saliva, or breath breaking the sound.

常見錯誤

❌The candle sputtered smoothly all night.
✅The candle burned steadily all night.
💡'Sputter' suggests broken popping noise, not calm steady burning.

2. to force out words in short bursts when anger, shock, or strong emotion makes sm

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

急聲說出

因震驚或生氣而斷續吐出話

to force out words in short bursts when anger, shock, or strong emotion makes smooth speech impossible

例句

"I never agreed to that!" Ada sputtered when the bill arrived.

帳單一送來，Ada 就急聲說出：「我根本沒答應這個！」

sputter + direct speech

Noa sputtered an apology after spilling tea on the museum guide.

Noa 把茶潑到博物館導覽員身上後，急聲道歉。

sputter + apology

同義詞
  • stammer

    focuses on speech difficulty itself, not on anger or shock

  • splutter

    very close British alternative with the same messy, explosive feel

  • blurt

    emphasizes sudden speech, not broken spitting sounds

反義詞

文法句型

sputter + apology/reply

sputter + direct speech

用法筆記

Usually describes speech under strong emotion, not calm conversation. The words often come out as a short reply, protest, or apology.

常見錯誤

❌She sputtered through the lecture in a calm voice.
✅She spoke through the lecture in a calm voice.
💡'Sputter' implies broken, emotional speech.

3. to keep going in a weak, uneven way so that success or progress starts to look d

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

後繼無力

勉強繼續下去，但看來難有進展

to keep going in a weak, uneven way so that success or progress starts to look doubtful

例句

Talks on the rent dispute sputtered through June without any clear deal.

有關租金爭議的談判拖到六月都後繼無力，仍看不到明確協議。

talks/negotiations + sputter

The local economy sputtered after the factory closed and orders dried up.

工廠關閉、訂單也幾乎沒了後，當地經濟開始後繼無力。

同義詞
  • falter

    suggests losing strength or confidence

  • stall

    often implies progress almost stops completely

  • limp along

    emphasizes continuing weakly for some time

反義詞

文法句型

economy/campaign/talks + sputter

用法筆記

Used for plans, campaigns, negotiations, economies, and similar activities that no longer move forward strongly.

常見錯誤

❌Sales sputtered upward all quarter.
✅Sales climbed steadily all quarter.
💡'Sputter' suggests weak or uneven progress, not strong growth.

sputter — 名詞