eruption

eruption — noun

1. the process of hot lava, ash, and gases being thrown out from inside a volcano t

1.nounB2
Definition

the process of hot lava, ash, and gases being thrown out from inside a volcano through an opening in the ground

Example

The eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010 forced thousands of villagers to leave their homes.

eruption of [volcano name]

Scientists warned that a major eruption could happen within the next few days.

major eruption

Common collocations
  • volcanic eruption
  • major eruption
  • violent eruption
  • eruption of Mount [name]
  • cause an eruption
  • predict an eruption
Synonyms
  • blast

    emphasises the explosive force rather than the entire event

  • explosion

    general term for a sudden burst; less specific to volcanoes

  • outburst

    suggests a sudden release, often used for emotions rather than geological events

Grammar Patterns

eruption + of + [volcano name]

Usage Note

Often modified by the volcano's name or location: 'the eruption of Vesuvius', 'the 1991 Pinatubo eruption'. Commonly used with 'volcanic' as a modifier.

Common Mistakes

The volcano had a big eruption and lava came out.
The volcano had a violent eruption, sending lava and ash high into the air.
'big' is vague; use 'major', 'violent', or 'powerful' for volcanic eruptions.

2. a sudden and violent start of something bad, such as war, conflict, disease, or

2.nounB2
Definition

a sudden and violent start of something bad, such as war, conflict, disease, or crime

Example

The sudden eruption of fighting between the two groups shocked the international community.

eruption of fighting

Experts fear that another eruption of the disease could overwhelm local hospitals.

eruption of the disease

Common collocations
  • eruption of violence
  • eruption of fighting
  • eruption of protests
  • eruption of crime
  • sudden eruption
  • prevent an eruption
Synonyms
  • outbreak

    more common for disease or war; less dramatic than 'eruption'

  • flare-up

    informal; suggests a short and intense return of a problem

  • upsurge

    describes a rapid increase rather than a sudden start

Grammar Patterns

eruption + of + [war/violence/conflict]

Usage Note

Subject is usually an undesirable event (violence, war, disease, crime). Often followed by 'of' + a noun describing the event. Not used for positive events — you would not say 'an eruption of celebrations'.

Common Mistakes

There was an eruption of partying after the exam.
There was an eruption of violence after the match.
'eruption' is normally used for negative events only.

3. a sudden, often noisy, expression of a very strong feeling, such as anger, laugh

3.nounB2
Definition

a sudden, often noisy, expression of a very strong feeling, such as anger, laughter, or tears

Example

Justin's sudden eruption of anger during the meeting surprised everyone in the room.

eruption of anger

After hours of silence, an eruption of tears came from the small bedroom.

eruption of tears

Common collocations
  • eruption of anger
  • eruption of laughter
  • eruption of tears
  • emotional eruption
  • sudden eruption
Synonyms
  • outburst

    nearly interchangeable; slightly more common for anger specifically

  • explosion

    more dramatic; suggests a sudden, violent release of emotion

  • fit

    informal; often used for anger or laughter, but sounds more uncontrolled

Grammar Patterns

eruption + of + [anger/laughter/tears]

Usage Note

Frequently used with an 'of'-phrase naming the feeling: 'an eruption of anger', 'an eruption of laughter'. Often implies the person expressing the feeling has lost some control.

Common Mistakes

She had an eruption of happiness when she won.
She had an eruption of laughter when she heard the joke.
'eruption' works best with intense, spontaneous reactions like anger, laughter, or tears, not with general positive feelings.

4. a condition in which red spots, bumps, or a rash suddenly appear on the skin, of

4.nounB2
Definition

a condition in which red spots, bumps, or a rash suddenly appear on the skin, often caused by an allergy or illness

Example

The new soap caused an uncomfortable eruption of red spots on Anong's arms.

cause + eruption of spots

Doctors said the skin eruption was not dangerous and would disappear within a week.

skin eruption

Common collocations
  • skin eruption
  • cause an eruption
  • mild eruption
  • sudden eruption
Synonyms
  • rash

    more common in everyday language; 'eruption' sounds more medical

  • outbreak

    used for widespread skin conditions rather than a single person's rash

Grammar Patterns

cause + eruption

skin eruption + on + body part

Usage Note

More common in medical or formal contexts; in everyday English people often say 'rash' or 'spots' instead. Frequently used with 'skin' as a modifier.

Common Mistakes

I got an eruption on my arm.
I got a skin eruption on my arm.
Use 'skin eruption' rather than just 'eruption' to avoid confusion with volcanic or emotional meanings.

5. the process in which a tooth first pushes through the soft gum tissue and become

5.nounC1
Definition

the process in which a tooth first pushes through the soft gum tissue and becomes visible in the mouth

Example

The eruption of a baby's first tooth is often painful for the child.

eruption of baby's first tooth

Dentists monitor the eruption of permanent teeth in children around age six.

eruption of permanent teeth

Common collocations
  • tooth eruption
  • eruption of teeth
  • delayed eruption
  • first eruption

Grammar Patterns

eruption + of + teeth

tooth eruption

Usage Note

Primarily a technical term used by dentists and medical professionals. In everyday English, parents are more likely to say 'cutting a tooth' or 'teething'.

Common Mistakes

The eruption of his teeth happened at six months.
His first tooth erupted at six months.
The verb 'erupt' is more natural than the noun 'eruption' when talking about a specific person's tooth.

Word family

  • erupt
    verbB2
  • eruptive
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a sudden release of energy, but they differ in scope and typical use. Eruption is specific to volcanic events — it emphasises the prolonged process of material (lava, ash, gas) being thrown out, rather than a single explosive moment. Explosion is the broadest term and refers to a sudden, violent burst of energy, often accompanied by a loud sound and destruction; it can describe a bomb, a gas leak, or even a volcanic event at the moment of detonation. Blast focuses on the shockwave and forceful air movement caused by an explosion, and is common in mining, demolition, and military contexts. Outburst highlights the suddenness and emotional charge of the release and is used more for human reactions (anger, laughter) than for geological events. For example, 'The eruption of Krakatoa was heard thousands of kilometres away' focuses on the sustained event, while 'The explosion shattered windows across the city' describes a single destructive moment.

eruption ↗explosion ↗blast ↗outburst

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • eruption of violence
  • volcanic eruption
  • skin eruption
  • tooth eruption
  • eruption of anger

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Borrowed into English from French 'éruption', which came from Latin 'eruptio' meaning 'a breaking out'. The Latin word was formed from 'e-' (out) and 'rumpere' (to break). The original sense was literal — something breaking out from within. The medical meaning (skin rash) dates back to the 1400s, while the volcanic sense became common in the 1600s as European explorers and scientists began describing volcanoes. The figurative use for emotions or conflict appeared in the 1800s.