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gusher

gusher

10 8.1
An oil well that shoots out oil with great force
  • noun
  • /ˈɡʌʃər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pozo de petróleo que brota
  • We have hit an oil gusher!
  • oil gusher
  • hit a gusher
  • get a gusher

Examples

Synonyms

oil well
vsgusher
  • Specialized
19 2.8

A deep hole in the ground that brings up oil

produces oil naturally without pumping because underground pressure is strong
oiler
vsgusher
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A well that produces oil from the ground

produces oil naturally with enough pressure so no pumping is needed
spouter
vsgusher
  • Archaic
9.6

An oil well that suddenly shoots oil high into the air

produces oil naturally with enough pressure so no pumping is needed

Antonyms

dry hole
  • Jargon
3 7.7

An attempt that has no result, like a well that finds no oil

How Forceful

blowout
20 4.5
gusher
  • Specialized
10 8.1
oil well
  • Specialized
19 2.8
dry hole
  • Jargon
3 7.7

Surface Forms

gusher singular
gushers plural

Morphology

gusher = gush (semi-transparent) = gush + er

While the formation from 'gush' is clear, the specific meaning related to oil wells is specialized.

Etymology

Gusher comes from the verb gush, which means 'to flow out quickly and forcefully'. So a gusher is something that 'gushes' — in oil talk it means a well that sends oil up so strongly it does not need pumping.