spluttering

4 definitions • 7 examples

present participle of

to speak in a quick and confused way, producing short, unclear noises because of surprise, anger, etc.:

[ + speech ] "But, er ... when, um, ... how?" he spluttered.

The old gentleman was spluttering with indignation.

He sputtered an apology about being 14 minutes late.

(of a person) to produce short, unclear noises from your mouth, especially because you cannot breathe properly:

Gasping, choking, spluttering, she struggled to escape.

She took too big a gulp of whisky and started to cough and splutter.

(of an engine or machine) to make a series of short, unclear noises:

One of the engines spluttered as if it was short of fuel.

I can hear a coffee machine spluttering away.