spring
B1Neutral - common in all registers from casual to formal.
Definition
Meaning
A coiled device that returns to its original shape after being compressed or stretched; the season between winter and summer.
To move or jump suddenly or quickly upward or forward; a natural source of water emerging from the ground; the point of origin of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is highly polysemous. Context is crucial to determine whether it refers to the season, a mechanical part, a water source, or a sudden movement. As a verb, it often implies suddenness and a release of stored energy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Spring' as a season is identical. The verb 'to spring' (past tense: sprang/sprung) is used identically, though 'sprung' as the simple past is slightly more common in American English. 'Spring mattress' (UK) vs. 'box spring' (US) for bed terminology.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'spring' as a season carries positive connotations of renewal and growth. 'To spring something on someone' (present unexpectedly) is equally common.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
spring from [source/origin]spring [something] on [someone]spring into [action/life]spring to [one's feet/defence]spring out of [bed/nowhere]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spring to life”
- “no spring chicken”
- “spring to mind”
- “spring into action”
- “spring a leak”
- “full of the joys of spring”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"New products will spring from our latest R&D investments." (Meaning: originate)
Academic
"The theory springs from earlier work by Foucault." (Meaning: originates)
Everyday
"I'll spring for dinner tonight." (US: Meaning: pay for) / "Don't spring that news on me now!" (Meaning: present unexpectedly)
Technical
"The suspension uses a torsion spring to absorb impact." (Engineering)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The cat will spring onto the wall.
- Where did you spring from?
- He sprang the news on us at the meeting.
- The trap was sprung by the fox.
American English
- The dog sprang over the fence.
- A leak sprang in the old pipe.
- Let me spring for the tickets.
- New businesses are springing up downtown.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; usually part of phrasal verbs like 'spring up').
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; usually part of phrasal verbs like 'spring back').
adjective
British English
- We need to do a spring clean.
- The spring term starts in April.
- It was a lovely spring day.
American English
- We're planning a spring break trip.
- The spring collection is now in stores.
- He's on the spring training roster.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Spring is my favourite season.
- The toy has a broken spring.
- Rabbits spring very high.
- Flowers bloom in the spring.
- He sprang out of bed when the alarm rang.
- The town is famous for its mineral spring.
- Several new startups have sprung up in the tech park.
- The decision sprang from lengthy discussions.
- The old chair's spring is poking through the fabric.
- She has a spring in her step ever since she got the promotion.
- The journalist hoped to spring the prisoner from captivity with her story.
- His philanthropy springs from a deep sense of social responsibility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPRING: it Stores Potential Energy Ready for Instant, New Growth. This covers the coil (stores energy), the season (new growth), and the sudden movement (instant).
Conceptual Metaphor
ORIGIN IS A SOURCE ("The idea sprang from a conversation"). SUDDEN CHANGE IS A QUICK MOVEMENT ("He sprang to fame"). RENEWAL IS A SEASONAL CYCLE ("a spring clean").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate the season 'spring' as 'источник' (source) – that's a 'water spring'.
- The verb 'to spring' (sprang, sprung) is not directly related to 'прыгать' for all contexts; 'spring from' means 'происходить из'.
- 'Spring' in 'bed spring' is 'пружина', not related to the season.
- Avoid using 'spring' for every kind of jump; 'spring' implies a quick, elastic motion, often from a stationary position.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'springed' as the past tense (correct: sprang or sprung).
- Confusing 'spring' (v) with 'jump' (spring is more sudden and often upward; jump is more general).
- Using 'in the spring' vs. 'in spring' (both are correct, 'in spring' is more general).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'spring' mean 'to pay for'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both, as well as an adjective. It is a classic example of zero-derivation or conversion in English.
Both 'sprang' and 'sprung' are accepted as the simple past tense, though 'sprang' is traditionally more common. 'Sprung' is the past participle (e.g., 'The trap has sprung').
A 'spring' is the natural source where water flows from the ground. A 'fountain' is an artificial structure that sprays or jets water, which may or may not be fed by a spring.
Yes, informally. E.g., "His lawyer managed to spring him on a technicality." This uses the metaphor of a sudden release of energy/constraint.
Collections
Part of a collection
Weather
A2 · 45 words · Describing the weather, climate and seasons.