What does squirter mean?
Squirter is a noun for someone or something that sends out a small, directed jet of liquid. The word most often describes a simple device or nozzle, but it can also refer playfully—or disparagingly—to a person who squirts liquid. By extension, the name may denote the jet or spray itself, as in describing a fountain as a “powerful squirter.” The term is not restricted to water: oil, ink, and other liquids can be expelled in the same way. In its literal sense it is neutral, though calling a person a “squirter” often sounds juvenile, teasing, or slightly contemptuous rather than respectful. In technical contexts, however, it can label a component that produces a narrow stream, including agricultural or industrial equipment. The word is useful because it names both an agent and its output, while its informal color makes it particularly suited to vivid description rather than formal technical prose.
nounA person or device that squirts, especially one that projects a narrow jet of liquid. By extension, the word can denote a small jet or spray of liquid itself.
- A device, nozzle, or other mechanism that projects liquid as a narrow jet.
- A person who squirts liquid, especially one who does so playfully or deliberately.
- A small jet or spray of liquid itself.
"The powerful garden squirter soaked the path whenever the sprinkler was turned on."
"The attachment was a powerful squirter that sent water across the entire vegetable patch."
"The children were such little squirters that the entire bench was drenched."
Used for multiple people or devices that squirt.
"The garden has several small squirters positioned around the flower beds."
A squirter can be a person, a device, or even the tiny jet of liquid they produce.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does squirter come from?
Squirter was formed in English by adding the agent suffix -er to squirt, producing a word meaning “one that squirts” or “a thing that emits a squirt.” Squirt itself is recorded from early modern English, although its ultimate origin is uncertain. Because that deeper origin has not been securely established, no confident foreign-language cognate can be supplied.
How squirter is actually used
The word is generally neutral when describing a device or its output. As a label for a person, it is usually informal and may sound childish, teasing, or dismissive.
Easily confused with squirter
A sprinter is someone who runs short distances at great speed, whereas a squirter projects liquid or is a person who does so.