bursts

8 definitions • 17 examples

to break open or apart suddenly, or to make something do this:

burst open Suddenly the door burst open (= opened suddenly and forcefully) and police officers rushed in.

I hate it when balloons burst.

The river was threatening to burst its banks.

figurative humorous If I eat any more cake I'll burst (= I cannot eat anything else)!

to feel a strong emotion, or strong wish to do something:

burst with I knew they were bursting with curiosity but I said nothing.

burst to Tom was bursting to tell everyone the news.

UK informal I'm bursting to go to the loo!

to suddenly burn strongly, producing a lot of flames:

Smoke started pouring out from underneath, then the truck burst into flames.

the act of breaking open so that what is inside comes out:

a burst in the water pipe

a sudden increase in something, especially for a short period:

burst of energy With a burst of energy, they were able to finish the job before the deadline.

burst of speed With a burst of speed, the dog took off after the ball.

She came out on stage to a burst of applause.

a burst of laughter

to break open or apart suddenly, or to cause something to break open or apart:

[ I ] Fireworks burst across the night sky.

[ T ] I thought I might have burst a blood vessel.

fig. A person who is bursting is extremely eager or enthusiastic:

[ I ] I was bursting with excitement.

a sudden, brief increase in something, or a short appearance of something:

With a burst of speed, the horse won easily.