blurt

blurt — verb

1. to say something quickly and without planning, before you have had time to think

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to say something quickly and without planning, before you have had time to think carefully — for example, blurting out a secret, an answer, or an embarrassing remark.

Example

During the meeting, Lien blurted out the sales figures before the manager could stop her.

blurt out + noun phrase: sudden disclosure

Femi was embarrassed when he blurted the secret to everyone at the party.

Common collocations
  • blurt out
  • blurt the truth
  • blurt a secret
  • blurt an answer
  • blurt a remark
Synonyms
  • blurt out

    the more common phrasal form, interchangeable in most contexts

  • let slip

    suggests accidentally revealing something secret, often more by accident than impulse

  • burst out

    more emotional; can be used with laughter or crying, not just words

Antonyms
  • bite your tongue

    to stop yourself from saying something, the opposite of acting on impulse

Grammar Patterns

blurt + noun phrase

blurt out + noun phrase

blurt + that-clause

Usage Note

Frequently used with the particle 'out', especially in informal speech. 'Blurt' rarely appears without a direct object — you blurt something (the information), not merely 'blurt' as an intransitive verb.

Common Mistakes

He blurted during class.
He blurted out the answer during class.
'blurt' is a transitive verb; it needs a direct object or the particle 'out' to form a complete predicate.

Word family

  • blurt out
    phrasal verbB2
  • blurting
    adjectiveC1
  • blurted
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three phrases describe saying something suddenly, but they differ in tone and control. 'Blurt' (or 'blurt out') emphasises a lack of self-control—you say something impulsive before your brain can stop you. 'Let slip' is less about impulse and more about accidental disclosure; the speaker might have been careless rather than explosive. 'Burst out' is the most emotional, often used with laughter, tears, or angry words ('She burst out crying'), not just information. For example: 'He blurted out that he loved her' (impulsive confession). 'She let slip the party plans' (accidental reveal). 'They burst out laughing at the joke' (uncontrollable emotional reaction).

blurt / blurt outlet slip ↗burst out ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • blurt it out
  • blurt something out

Etymology

uncertain originEnglish

The origin of 'blurt' is uncertain. It first appeared in English around the 1570s, possibly created as an imitation of a sudden, explosive sound (like a cough or a sputter that forces words out). Some linguists think it may blend 'blare' (a loud sound) and 'spurt' (a sudden burst). The meaning has stayed very close to this sound-image: words that burst out of the mouth without control.