What does splutter mean?
To splutter is to make a succession of short, abrupt, often wet or explosive sounds. The word is especially associated with engines struggling to start, people coughing or choking, and speakers whose words come out in broken bursts. It can also describe machinery or vehicles moving in an irregular, stuttering fashion. In figurative use, “splutter with laughter” or “splutter with indignation” suggests a person whose voice or speech is interrupted by amusement, surprise, or anger. Splutter is especially common in British English, while sputter is more frequent in American English, but both forms have essentially the same meanings. The word is useful for describing sounds that are more forceful and disorderly than a simple hiss and more broken than smooth speech.
To make a series of short, wet, explosive sounds; to speak or move in abrupt, broken, or irregular bursts.
"The car spluttered noisily along the mountain road."
Often describes engines, vehicles, coughing, choking, or interrupted speech.
A short, wet, explosive sound or series of sounds.
"A sudden splutter from the engine broke the silence."
Used when referring to individual explosive sounds or separate instances of spluttering.
"The machine let out a series of splutters before it stopped."
A splutter is the sound of an engine, a cough, or even a person trying to speak all caught in the same unruly burst.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does splutter come from?
Splutter dates from the early 19th century and is generally regarded as an alteration of sputter, with which it has long been interchangeable. Sputter itself is an imitative word formed to represent a series of short popping or hissing sounds. The later development of splutter may also have been influenced by the sound symbolism of splash.
Related word forms
How splutter is actually used
The verb is commonly used for both physical sounds and figurative descriptions of speech, vehicles, or machinery. In British English, “splutter” is particularly frequent; American usage often favors “sputter,” although both forms are understood.
Easily confused with splutter
Splutter and sputter have nearly identical meanings; splutter is especially common in British English, while sputter is the more frequent spelling in American English.
A sputter may describe a brief or less forceful series of popping sounds, whereas a splutter often suggests a more prolonged, noisy, or irregular burst of sound.