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to erupt

to erupt

13 4.2
To suddenly appear on the skin as spots or blisters
  • verb
  • /ɪˈrʌpt/
translation icon : salir
  • After a few hours in the sun, a rash began to erupt on her arms.

Examples

  • In two or three days pink lesions appear all over his body, along with small pustules... ...that soon erupt with blood and pus.

  • The contents of the first angel's bowl caused repugnant and repulsive wounds to erupt on people's skin.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Then angry blisters erupted on his forehead, and he too fell forward, dead.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Kieran flapped hard, his breaths erupting from his lungs as he strained to catch up to Leanna.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The allergic reaction caused hives to erupt across his chest and back.

  • Within minutes, the mosquito bites started to erupt into itchy red welts.

Synonyms

to break out
vsto erupt
24 4.0

To develop spots or a rash on the skin

describes a sudden visible appearance on skin rather than the developing process
to flare up
vsto erupt
23 4.7

To become suddenly stronger or worse, often for a short time

means sudden new skin appearance rather than worsening of an existing issue
to burst forth
vsto erupt
5 5.4

Suddenly start to happen with a lot of energy

describes sudden skin appearance without implying extra force or energy
to burst out
vsto erupt
2 3.4

Start suddenly and appear or happen quickly

refers specifically to sudden visible skin appearance rather than general events

Antonyms

1.0

To stop being seen or to no longer be there

481 1.2

To become healthy again after an injury, illness, or emotional pain

Phrasal Verbs

A crowd suddenly becomes violent and starts to damage property

How Severe

spread
89 2.5
to erupt
13 4.2
to break out
24 4.0
to appear
873 1.0

Surface Forms

erupt infinitive
erupted past
erupted past participle
erupting present participle
erupts third person singular

Morphology

erupt = e + rupt

Although historically analysable as e- (out) + rupt (break), 'rupt' is not a standalone English word, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

The word erupt comes from Latin parts e- 'out' and rupt 'break', the same root you see in interrupt. So when a rash or spots erupt on the skin they 'break out' suddenly, which is why we use erupt for things that appear quickly on the body.