burstverb
uk/bɜːst/us/bɝːst/burst, burstB2 [ I or T ] to break open or apart suddenly, or to make something do this:
I hate it when balloons burst.
Suddenly the door burst open (= opened suddenly and forcefully) and police officers rushed in.
The river was threatening to burst its banks.
figurative humorous If I eat any more cake I'll burst (= I cannot eat anything else)!
C2 [ I ] to feel a strong emotion, or strong wish to do something:
I knew they were bursting with curiosity but I said nothing.
[ + to infinitive ] Tom was bursting to tell everyone the news.
UK informal I'm bursting to go to the loo!
burst into flames
C2 to suddenly burn strongly, producing a lot of flames:
Smoke started pouring out from underneath, then the truck burst into flames.
More examples
- The whole town flooded when the river burst its banks.
- The bag burst and the apples fell out.
- She pricked the balloon with a pin and it burst with a loud bang.
- The pipe burst and water was spraying everywhere.
- He was driving along the motorway when his tyre burst.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Exploding and erupting
- blast
- blow (sb/sth) up
- blowout
- burst in on sb/sth
- burst in/into (somewhere)
- detonate
- erupt
- explode
- explosion
- explosive
- flare
- go
- go off
- go pop idiom
- go up
- ignite
- live
- pop
- set
- set sth off
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Strong feelings
Burning, burnt & on fire
Idiom(s)
burst at the seams
burst into song/tears/laughter
burst out laughing/crying
Phrasal verb(s)
burst in/into (somewhere)
burst in on sb/sth
burst out
burstnoun [ C ]
uk/bɜːst/us/bɝːst/burst noun [ C ] (BREAK)
UK the act of breaking open so that what is inside comes out:
a burst in the water pipe
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Exploding and erupting
- blast
- blow (sb/sth) up
- blowout
- burst in on sb/sth
- burst in/into (somewhere)
- detonate
- erupt
- explode
- explosion
- explosive
- flare
- go
- go off
- go pop idiom
- go up
- ignite
- live
- pop
- set
- set sth off
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burst noun [ C ] (INCREASE)
a sudden increase in something, especially for a short period:
a burst of speed/applause/laughter
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Speed of motion
- at full/half throttle idiom
- brisk
- celerity
- clip
- fleet
- going
- ground speed
- momentum
- pacy
- rapid
- rate
- speed
- speedy
- supersonic
- swift
- throttle
- top
- velocity
- zip
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Busy and active