erupt

erupt — verb

1. A volcano that erupts sends hot liquid rock, ash, and gas bursting out of the ea

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

A volcano that erupts sends hot liquid rock, ash, and gas bursting out of the earth through an opening in its surface.

例句

Mount Merapi erupted without warning, sending ash and smoke high into the sky.

volcano erupts + adverb phrase for suddenness

Scientists warned that the volcano could erupt again at any moment.

同義詞
  • explode

    a single, contained burst; 'erupt' suggests ongoing or repeated ejection of material

  • spew

    focuses on material flowing out rather than the force of the burst

反義詞
  • subside

    when volcanic activity calms down and stops

文法句型

volcano erupts

erupt + adverb (violently, suddenly)

用法筆記

The subject is always a volcano. This sense is the most frequent and historically the root meaning of the word, from which all other senses extend by metaphor.

常見錯誤

❌The bomb erupted in the city center.
✅The bomb exploded in the city center.
💡'explode' is for bombs and devices; 'erupt' is for volcanoes and metaphorically for events.

2. When fighting, violence, a fire, or a dangerous event erupts, it begins suddenly

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

When fighting, violence, a fire, or a dangerous event erupts, it begins suddenly and spreads with great force.

例句

Fighting erupted between rival groups after the football match ended.

erupt + between + groups for conflict

A huge fire erupted in the old textile factory late at night.

同義詞
  • break out

    less forceful; used for diseases and wars (war broke out)

  • flare up

    suggests something that was already simmering and suddenly becomes active again

反義詞
  • subside

    gradually become less intense or stop

  • die down

    become quieter or less violent

文法句型

fighting/war/fire erupts

erupt between + groups

用法筆記

Subject is typically a conflict or disaster (fighting, war, fire, violence). The sense emphasises sudden, forceful beginning rather than the event's duration. Frequently pairs with prepositions 'between' (groups) or 'in/at' (locations).

常見錯誤

❌A party erupted in the park.
✅A fight erupted in the park.
💡'erupt' in this sense requires a conflict or dangerous event, not a neutral or positive one.

3. To suddenly burst into loud laughter, shouting, or other strong emotions that ar

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

To suddenly burst into loud laughter, shouting, or other strong emotions that are difficult to hold back.

例句

The audience erupted into laughter at the comedian's very first joke.

erupt into laughter — common pattern for group reaction

Sirin erupted in anger when she discovered someone had read her private diary.

erupt in anger — singular person, strong emotion

同義詞
  • burst out

    usually for laughter or tears; slightly less intense than 'erupt'

  • explode

    more personal and uncontrolled; 'explode with anger' suggests a single outburst

反義詞

文法句型

erupt into + noun (laughter, cheers, anger)

erupt in + noun

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'into' or 'in' plus an emotion or reaction noun ('erupted into laughter', 'erupted in anger'). The subject can be a group (audience, crowd) or an individual, but group subjects are more frequent.

常見錯誤

❌She erupted at the news.
✅She erupted in anger at the news.
💡the emotion or reaction must be stated after 'in' or 'into'.

4. When spots, a rash, or pimples erupt, they show up on the skin all at once and o

4.動詞不及物B1
釋義

When spots, a rash, or pimples erupt, they show up on the skin all at once and often in large quantities.

例句

The night before her wedding, a red rash erupted all over Aylin's neck and face.

rash erupts all over + body part — sudden widespread outbreak

Teenagers often find that painful spots erupt on their faces during puberty.

同義詞
  • break out

    commonly used with 'in' ('break out in a rash'); slightly less formal than 'erupt'

  • appear

    neutral, no sense of suddenness or quantity

反義詞

文法句型

spots/rash erupt + on + body part

skin erupts in + spots/rash

用法筆記

The subject is the spots, rash, or bumps themselves. To describe a person breaking out, use 'erupt in' ('Her face erupted in red spots').

常見錯誤

❌I erupted with spots.
✅Spots erupted on my face.
💡the spots are the grammatical subject, not the person.

5. A tooth that erupts breaks through the gum and emerges into the mouth as a visib

5.動詞不及物B2
釋義

A tooth that erupts breaks through the gum and emerges into the mouth as a visible new tooth.

例句

The baby's first tooth erupted when she was only seven months old.

baby's tooth erupts — common milestone context

A dentist uses an X-ray to see if a wisdom tooth is about to erupt.

同義詞
  • come through

    everyday alternative; less formal than 'erupt'

  • emerge

    slightly broader; can describe any body part becoming visible

文法句型

tooth erupts

erupt through the gum

用法筆記

This is a technical term common in medical and dental writing. In everyday conversation, speakers prefer 'come through' or 'come in' ('His wisdom teeth are coming through').