outburst
B2Neutral to slightly formal.
Definition
Meaning
A sudden, forceful expression of emotion or energy.
Also used to describe a sudden, violent occurrence in nature or an event marked by a sharp increase in activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term inherently implies a lack of control or a sudden release of something that was previously contained. It can be used both literally (e.g., volcanic outburst) and metaphorically (e.g., emotional outburst).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[outburst of + noun (emotion/activity)][adjective + outburst]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A storm in a teacup”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The CEO's public outburst at the meeting damaged his reputation."
Academic
"The study links sudden solar outbursts to disruptions in satellite communications."
Everyday
"He had a little outburst when he couldn't find his keys."
Technical
"The geologists monitored the volcano for signs of a magmatic outburst."
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child had a small outburst when his toy broke.
- There was an outburst of cheering when the team scored.
- His sudden outburst of anger surprised everyone in the room.
- After the news, there was an outburst of joy in the crowd.
- The manager's public outburst was widely criticised in the press.
- The meeting was interrupted by an unexpected outburst of protest from the audience.
- The senator's intemperate outburst undermined the credibility of her argument.
- The artist's work is characterised by sudden outbursts of colour and chaotic energy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'out' + 'burst' – something BURSTing OUT suddenly, like laughter OUT of your mouth.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS A CONTAINED FLUID/PRESSURE (e.g., 'He couldn't contain his anger any longer and it burst out').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'вспышка' (flash) which is more momentary; 'outburst' implies a more sustained release. Do not translate literally as 'вне взрыва'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outburst' for a planned, controlled action. Incorrect: 'She gave an outburst of her prepared speech.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is LEAST likely to be described as an 'outburst'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'outburst' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to burst out'.
No, it can be neutral or positive (e.g., 'an outburst of laughter', 'an outburst of creativity'), though it often describes negative emotions like anger.
'Outburst' typically refers to a sudden emotional or energetic release. 'Outbreak' refers to the sudden start of something undesirable, like a disease, war, or fire.
It is neutral but can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Synonyms like 'paroxysm' are more formal, while 'flare-up' is more informal.