Definition

1. Noun:

   • A natural hot spring that intermittently ejects a column of water and steam into the air: A geyser is a rare geological feature where groundwater is heated by geothermal energy, causing periodic, forceful eruptions.
   • (Chiefly British) A domestic water heater: A gas or electric appliance for heating water, typically for a household's supply.

2. Verb:

   • To gush or send forth suddenly and forcefully, like a geyser: To eject or overflow in a sudden, often violent, stream or jet.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Natural Feature):
  • Old Faithful is a famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
  • The geothermal area is known for its many hot springs and geysers.
• Noun (Appliance):
  • (British English) The geyser needs servicing; the hot water pressure is very low.
• Verb:
  • The broken pipe geysered water high into the air.
  • When the champagne cork popped, the bottle geysered foam.

Advanced Usage

• "to go off like a geyser": To erupt or explode with sudden, forceful energy, often used metaphorically for emotions or conflict.
  • His temper went off like a geyser when he heard the news.

Variants and Related Words

• Geyserite (n): A form of opaline silica, often deposited around geyser vents.
• Geothermal (adj): Relating to or produced by the internal heat of the earth.

Synonyms

• Noun (Spring): Hot spring, spouter, fumarole (though a fumarole emits gases, not water).
• Verb: Spout, gush, jet, erupt, spew.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Verbal Phrases

• Geyser up: (Intransitive) To rise or surge up like a geyser. Often used for liquids or emotions.
  • Tears geysered up in her eyes as she listened to the story.
  • Oil geysered up from the new well.

Related Idioms

• None directly using "geyser" as a core component are common. The metaphorical use "to go off like a geyser" (see Advanced Usage) functions idiomatically.

Noun

1. a spring that discharges hot water and steam

Verb

1. to overflow like a geyser