What does sputtering mean?
Sputtering means producing a series of abrupt, noisy sounds, as an old engine may sputter before stalling or a person may sputter while speaking nervously. The word is especially associated with irregular, explosive, hissing, or spluttering noises, but it can also describe speech delivered in short, indistinct bursts. Its figurative uses suggest a process that continues weakly or intermittently rather than proceeding smoothly. A speaker who sputters may be overcome by agitation, excitement, surprise, or embarrassment, although the word can also be used more playfully. Sputtering is similarly effective when describing faulty machinery, a struggling flame, boiling liquid, or heavy rain striking a surface. Although it can sound mildly informal, the verb and its adjectival participle are widely accepted in everyday English and are particularly vivid because they imitate the irregular character of the sound itself.
To make intermittent popping, hissing, or spluttering sounds, or to speak in short, explosive, indistinct bursts.
"The carburettor sputtered repeatedly before the engine finally caught."
When used for speech, it commonly implies nervousness, agitation, excitement, or difficulty in expressing one's thoughts clearly.
Characterized by intermittent popping, hissing, or spluttering sounds.
"A sputtering kettle announced that the water had finally boiled."
A sputtering engine and a sputtering speaker share the same pattern: small bursts interrupted by abrupt silence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sputtering come from?
Sputtering is the present participle of sputter, an English verb formed in the early modern period from Middle English sputten, meaning “to spit or spout,” with the addition of a diminutive suffix. That older word belongs to a wider Germanic and Indo-European family associated with the action of spitting or spewing, which also produced related forms such as spout and spew.
Related word forms
How sputtering is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal English. For speech, it suggests nervousness, agitation, excitement, or a lack of clear articulation; for machinery or fire, it evokes irregular, noisy, or unstable operation.
Easily confused with sputtering
Sputtering describes intermittent explosive or hissing sounds, whereas spattering describes throwing or scattering liquid in droplets.