eruption
gb/ɪɹˈʌpʃən/ us/ɪɹˈʌpʃən/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
a volcano exploding and releasing material
When a volcano explodes and sends out lava and ash.
Usage pattern:
an eruption (of [a volcano]); the eruption of [volcano]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *explosion* for volcanoes; *eruption* is the standard word for volcano activity.
Synonyms
volcanic outburst (More formal and less common than eruption.)
Antonyms
dormancy (A period when a volcano is inactive.)
Collocations
volcanic eruption
|major eruption
|minor eruption
|eruption plume
|ash cloud
|lava flow
|during the eruption
|after the eruption
|eruption warning
|eruption history
Themes
nature
|geography
|science
|weather
Examples
- The eruption sent ash high into the atmosphere and grounded flights for days.
- Scientists monitored the volcano closely in the weeks before the eruption.
- Villagers evacuated after an eruption triggered fast-moving lava flows.
Learner examples
- The volcano had an eruption last night.
- Ash covered the town after the eruption.
Noun
B2
event
2
a sudden angry or violent outburst
A sudden strong outburst, especially of anger or violence.
Usage pattern:
an eruption of [anger/violence/protests]
Common mistake:
Often confused with *interruption* because of similar sound; meanings are unrelated.
Synonyms
outburst (General word for sudden strong emotion or action.)
|
flare-up (Often suggests something starting again after being quiet.)
Antonyms
calm (A state of quiet and control rather than sudden intensity.)
Collocations
eruption of anger
|eruption of violence
|sudden eruption
|brief eruption
|violent eruption
|an eruption in the crowd
|eruption of fighting
|eruption of protest
|an eruption of rage
|an eruption of hostility
Themes
emotions
|society
|conflict
|news
Examples
- His speech was followed by an eruption of anger from the audience.
- The ceasefire collapsed, leading to an eruption of violence in the capital.
- A small argument turned into an eruption of shouting.
Learner examples
- There was an eruption of anger in the meeting.
- The argument caused an eruption of violence.
Noun
technical
C1
state
3
a sudden rash or breakout on skin
A sudden rash or spots on the skin.
Usage pattern:
a skin eruption; an eruption on [body part]
Common mistake:
In everyday speech, people often say *rash* or *breakout* instead of *eruption*.
Synonyms
rash (More common everyday term.)
|
breakout (Often used for acne-like spots.)
Antonyms
remission (A period when symptoms become less severe or disappear.)
Collocations
skin eruption
|allergic eruption
|itchy eruption
|pustular eruption
|a red eruption
|eruption on the face
|eruption on the arms
|widespread eruption
|treat the eruption
|cause an eruption
Themes
health
|body
|medicine
Examples
- She developed a painful skin eruption after taking the new medication.
- The doctor examined the eruption on his arms and asked about allergies.
- Heat and sweat can trigger eruptions in sensitive skin.
Learner examples
- I have an eruption on my skin.
- The cream helped my eruption.
Noun
C1
event
4
a sudden burst of sound or activity
A sudden strong burst of noise or activity.
Usage pattern:
an eruption of [laughter/applause/cheering/activity]
Common mistake:
Don’t use *eruption* for a slow, gradual increase; it suggests something sudden.
Synonyms
burst (Very common and less dramatic than eruption.)
|
surge (Often suggests a strong rise, not always sudden noise.)
Antonyms
lull (A quiet or inactive period.)
Collocations
eruption of laughter
|eruption of applause
|eruption of cheers
|eruption of activity
|brief eruption
|sudden eruption
|an eruption from the crowd
|an eruption of noise
|an eruption of excitement
|an eruption of creativity
Themes
daily_life
|communication
|culture
|work
Examples
- Her joke triggered an eruption of laughter across the room.
- There was a sudden eruption of activity as the deadline approached.
- The goal was met with an eruption of cheers from the fans.
Learner examples
- The news caused an eruption of applause.
- We heard an eruption of laughter.
Noun
technical
C1
process
5
a tooth coming through the gums
When a tooth starts to come out through the gums.
Usage pattern:
tooth eruption; the eruption of [a tooth/teeth]
Common mistake:
Often replaced in casual speech by *teething*; *eruption* is more clinical.
Synonyms
tooth emergence (Clear but less standard than eruption in dentistry.)
Antonyms
impaction (When a tooth fails to erupt properly and remains trapped.)
Collocations
tooth eruption
|eruption of baby teeth
|eruption of wisdom teeth
|delayed eruption
|normal eruption
|eruption pattern
|eruption sequence
|eruption age
|painful eruption
|impacted tooth
Themes
health
|body
|dentistry
|parenting
Examples
- The dentist noted delayed eruption of the child’s front teeth.
- Wisdom-tooth eruption can cause soreness and swelling.
- Teething symptoms often start before tooth eruption is visible.
Learner examples
- My baby is having tooth eruption.
- Tooth eruption can hurt.
Noun
technical
C2
event
6
a sudden release of energy in space
A sudden powerful event on the Sun.
Usage pattern:
a solar eruption; an eruption on the Sun
Common mistake:
Often mixed up with *solar flare*; a flare is one type of solar eruption.
Synonyms
solar flare (Related event; often used more generally in news.)
Antonyms
quiescence (A quiet period with little activity.)
Collocations
solar eruption
|magnetic eruption
|eruption on the Sun
|plasma eruption
|coronal mass ejection
|space weather
|powerful eruption
|eruption event
|satellite disruption
|geomagnetic storm
Themes
science
|space
|technology
|weather
Examples
- A solar eruption disrupted radio communications in the polar regions.
- Researchers tracked the eruption as it hurled plasma into space.
- The forecast warned of increased space-weather risk after the eruption.
Learner examples
- A solar eruption can affect satellites.
Grammar
Dictionary form
eruption
IPA
GB/ɪɹˈʌpʃən/
US/ɪɹˈʌpʃən/
Syllables & stress
erup - tion (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: eruption
- Plural: eruption, eruptions
Word family
Forms
eruptions
noun
Core family
erupt
verb B1
eruptive
adjective
Expressions
an eruption of activity
1/ən ɪɹˈʌpʃən əv æktˈɪvɪti/
fixed phrase
sudden increase in activity
When many things start happening suddenly.
Examples
- The announcement caused an eruption of activity on social media.
- At dawn there was an eruption of activity in the market.
- The newsroom saw an eruption of activity as the story broke.
an eruption of anger
1/ən ɪɹˈʌpʃən əv ˈæŋɡɚ/
fixed phrase
sudden display of anger
A sudden moment when someone becomes very angry.
Examples
- His eruption of anger surprised everyone in the room.
- An eruption of anger at the delay ended the discussion.
- She apologized for her eruption of anger during the call.
an eruption of applause
1/ən ɪɹˈʌpʃən əv əplˈɔz/
fixed phrase
sudden loud clapping
Sudden loud applause from many people.
Examples
- The final note was followed by an eruption of applause.
- Her name drew an eruption of applause from the crowd.
- There was an eruption of applause when the team walked onto the field.
an eruption of laughter
1/ən ɪɹˈʌpʃən əv lˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
sudden burst of laughter
A sudden strong laugh from many people.
Examples
- His impression caused an eruption of laughter in the audience.
- There was an eruption of laughter when the microphone cut out at the wrong moment.
- The class burst into an eruption of laughter at the blooper reel.
an eruption of violence
1/ən ɪɹˈʌpʃən əv vˈaɪələns/
fixed phrase
formal
sudden outbreak of violence
When violence starts suddenly.
Examples
- The agreement failed to prevent an eruption of violence in the region.
- Police prepared for an eruption of violence after the verdict.
- A minor incident sparked an eruption of violence outside the stadium.