Eruption

ɪˈrʌpʃən

nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A sudden and violent outbreak, typically of something unwelcome.

ɪˈrʌpʃən

nounneutralBeginner
General

The act of erupting, or the state of having erupted.

The eruption of the volcano caused ash to fall across the entire island.

💡 Simply: Imagine a volcano exploding, spewing hot lava everywhere. That's an eruption! It's a sudden and often messy burst of something.

👶 For kids: When something suddenly bursts out, like a volcano or a rash on your skin, that's called an eruption!

More Examples

2

The doctor diagnosed the skin eruption as an allergic reaction.

3

There was a sudden eruption of laughter when the comedian made the joke.

How It's Used

Geology

"The volcanic eruption caused widespread devastation."

Medical

"The skin eruption was diagnosed as a rash."

Figurative

"An eruption of anger was a shock to the crowd."

2

The emergence of something, especially from a confined space or from beneath a surface.

ɪˈrʌpʃən

nounneutralmedium
General

The process of something bursting out.

The eruption of the new teeth caused discomfort for the baby.

💡 Simply: Think about when a new tooth pops up in your mouth – that's a type of eruption too! It means something is coming out or breaking through from somewhere.

👶 For kids: When something comes out from inside, like a tooth growing out of your gums, that is an eruption.

More Examples

2

The geologist studied the eruption of the magma from the earth.

3

After years of planning, the eruption of the new business went better than expected.

How It's Used

Medical

"The teething process is often accompanied by gum eruptions."

Tip:Like a tooth pushing its way through the gums.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Latin *ēruptiō* ('a breaking out'), from *ērumpere* ('to break out'), from *e-* ('out') + *rumpere* ('to break').

The word 'eruption' has been used since the 16th century to describe sudden outbursts, initially in a medical context before its application to geological events.

Memory tip

Think of a volcano spewing lava, or a rash suddenly appearing on your skin - both are eruptions!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to break out"

volcanic eruptionskin eruptioneruption of angersudden eruptionviolent eruption

Common misspellings

irruptionerruption

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written