sprung: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to slightly formal; common in narrative, descriptive, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sprung” mean?
The past participle and simple past tense of the verb 'spring', meaning to move or jump suddenly and rapidly upward or forward from a position, often due to the release of stored energy or pressure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past participle and simple past tense of the verb 'spring', meaning to move or jump suddenly and rapidly upward or forward from a position, often due to the release of stored energy or pressure.
Beyond the physical action, 'sprung' often implies a sudden, often surprising, origin, emergence, or activation of a state, mechanism, or condition. It can describe being released from confinement, activated from a state of readiness, or having one's origins in a particular source.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'sprung' as the standard past participle and past tense. 'Sprung' is overwhelmingly preferred over 'sprung' for the past participle. The adjective 'sprung' (as in a sprung mattress) is identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations of sudden release or origin in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sprung” in a Sentence
[Subject] sprung [from/into/on/out of] [Location/Action][Subject] sprung [Object] [open/loose/free][Subject] sprung [Object] on [Recipient][Subject] is sprung from [Origin]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sprung” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The athlete had sprung over the hurdle before the crowd realised.
- A leak had sprung in the old piping, flooding the cellar.
- The idea for the novel sprung from a childhood memory.
American English
- The tiger sprang from the bushes onto its prey.
- Several tech startups have sprung up in the downtown area this year.
- He sprung the complicated plan on us at the last possible moment.
adjective
British English
- The car's sprung suspension provided a comfortable ride on the bumpy road.
- They slept on a poorly sprung bed at the cheap hotel.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for sudden market movements or the launch of initiatives (e.g., 'New competitors have sprung up overnight.').
Academic
Used to describe the origin of ideas, movements, or biological traits (e.g., 'The theory sprung from earlier philosophical debates.').
Everyday
Common for describing sudden physical movements, mechanical failures, or surprises (e.g., 'The lid sprung open.' 'He sprung the news on me.').
Technical
Describes the activation of mechanisms, release of stored energy, or structural failure (e.g., 'The safety catch had sprung.', 'The chassis is fully sprung.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sprung”
- Using 'sprung' as the base form (incorrect: 'It will sprung'; correct: 'It will spring').
- Using 'sprang' as the past participle in perfect tenses (less common/formal: 'It has sprang'; standard: 'It has sprung').
- Confusing 'sprung' (released) with 'sprained' (injured a ligament).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'sprang' and 'sprung' are historically accepted as the simple past tense. In modern usage, 'sprang' is more common for the simple past (He sprang to his feet), and 'sprung' is standard for the past participle (The trap has sprung). Using 'sprung' for the simple past is not incorrect but is less frequent.
Yes. As an adjective, 'sprung' typically describes something equipped with springs, like a 'sprung mattress' or 'sprung saddle'. It refers to the state of having a spring mechanism.
It is an idiom meaning a container or vessel has developed a leak, often suddenly. It applies to boats, pipes, roofs, or even metaphorical containers like budgets or plans (e.g., 'Their secret plan sprung a leak and was reported in the press').
They are largely synonymous, both indicating origin. 'Sprung from' often implies a more sudden, dynamic, or forceful beginning, sometimes with a sense of surprise. 'Stemmed from' can suggest a more logical, gradual, or traceable cause-and-effect relationship.
The past participle and simple past tense of the verb 'spring', meaning to move or jump suddenly and rapidly upward or forward from a position, often due to the release of stored energy or pressure.
Sprung is usually neutral to slightly formal; common in narrative, descriptive, and technical contexts. in register.
Sprung: in British English it is pronounced /sprʌŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /sprʌŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sprung from the loins of (archaic/literary: descended from)”
- “sprung a leak”
- “sprung to mind”
- “sprung from nowhere”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPRING being SPRUNG – it has already done its jumping action. 'Ung' sounds like the end of 'jumped' or 'lunged', both sudden movements.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE PLANTS (sprung from good soil), ACTIONS ARE RELEASED ENERGY (sprung into action), SURPRISES ARE TRAPS (sprung a surprise).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The plot twist was completely sprung on the audience,' what is the closest meaning of 'sprung'?