burst
burst Lexical Profile
burst Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sudden, brief, and intense outpouring, Period, or manifestation of energy, emotion, or activity.
"With a final burst of speed, the runner crossed the finish line in first place."
An instance of breaking open suddenly and violently, especially from internal pressure.
"A sudden burst in the water main flooded several downtown streets."
• verb
To break open, apart, or into pieces suddenly and violently, especially as a result of internal pressure.
"The overinflated balloon burst with a loud pop."
To move, emerge, or appear suddenly and forcefully.
"Sunlight burst through the clouds after the morning storm."
To suddenly begin to give expression to an emotion or sound (such as laughter, tears, or song).
"The entire audience burst into applause at the end of the symphony."
To be so full as to be almost breaking open, or to feel an overwhelming emotion.
"The suitcases were bursting with clothes for the summer vacation."
• adjective
Having broken open or ruptured suddenly, especially from internal pressure.
"The plumber arrived quickly to repair the burst pipe in the basement."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an irregular verb, the base form, past simple, and past participle are identical ('burst'); the regularized form 'bursted' is considered nonstandard in contemporary English.
• Rhymes for burst
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'berstan' (to break suddenly or shatter), from Proto-Germanic '*brestana', with the modern spelling influenced by Old Norse 'bresta'.