Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To erupt or intensify suddenly: To begin or increase suddenly and with great force, often referring to emotions, actions, or events.
   • To appear suddenly: To emerge or happen abruptly.
   • To give sudden release to an expression: To exclaim or utter something suddenly and forcefully, often due to strong emotion.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (erupt/intensify):
  • The children burst out crying when the balloon popped.
  • Flames burst out from the windows of the building.
• Verb (appear suddenly):
  • The sun burst out from behind the clouds.
• Verb (give sudden release to expression):
  • "That's not fair!" he burst out angrily.
  • Unable to contain her joy, she burst out singing.

Advanced Usage

• "burst out laughing/crying": A very common collocation meaning to suddenly start laughing or crying loudly and uncontrollably.
  • The joke was so funny that the entire room burst out laughing.
• "burst out into": Often followed by a noun describing a sudden action or state (e.g., applause, flames, a rage).
  • After the announcement, the audience burst out into applause.
  • The peaceful protest burst out into violence.

Variants and Related Words

• Burst (verb): The root verb, meaning to break open or apart suddenly and violently, or to be very full.
  • The pipe burst due to the pressure.
  • The bags were bursting with groceries.
• Outburst (noun): A sudden, violent release of emotion or activity.
  • His angry outburst surprised everyone.

Synonyms

• Erupt: To burst out suddenly or violently.
• Exclaim: To cry out or speak suddenly and vehemently, often in surprise, anger, or pain.
• Blurt out: To say something suddenly and without thinking, often used for secrets or tactless remarks.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Break out: To begin suddenly (often used for wars, diseases, or fires). Can sometimes be used similarly to "burst out" for emotions.
  • Fighting broke out in the streets.
  • She broke out in a cold sweat.

Related Idioms

• Burst onto the scene: To appear suddenly and make a strong impression in a particular field.
  • The new band burst onto the music scene last year.

Verb

1. erupt or intensify suddenly
   • Unrest erupted in the country
   • Tempers flared at the meeting
   • The crowd irrupted into a burst of patriotism
2. appear suddenly
   • Spring popped up everywhere in the valley
3. give sudden release to an expression
   • We burst out laughing
   • 'I hate you,' she burst out