gush
gb/ɡˈʌʃ/ us/ɡˈʌʃ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
flow out suddenly and strongly
When liquid gushes, it comes out fast and in a lot.
Usage pattern:
[liquid] gush(es) (out) (from [place])
Common mistake:
Learners may use *gush* for any slow flow; *gush* suggests a sudden, strong flow.
Synonyms
spurt (often emphasizes short bursts rather than a sustained flow.)
|
pour (more general; does not always imply force.)
|
burst out (highlights the sudden start of the flow.)
Antonyms
trickle (a small, slow flow instead of a strong one.)
|
drip (separate drops rather than a stream.)
Collocations
water gushed out
|blood gushed from
|oil gushed up
|sap gushed
|tears gushed
|a pipe gushed
|a wound gushed
|gush into the sink
|gush from the tap
|gush through a crack
Themes
daily_life
|nature
|health
Examples
- Water gushed out of the broken pipe and flooded the kitchen.
- Blood gushed from the cut until the nurse bandaged it.
- When the cork came loose, champagne gushed onto the table.
Learner examples
- Water gushed from the tap.
- Blood gushed from his arm.
Noun
B2
event
2
sudden strong flow of liquid
A gush is a lot of liquid coming out fast.
Usage pattern:
a gush of [liquid/air]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse *a gush* (one strong flow) with *a splash* (liquid hitting something).
Synonyms
surge (often used for large, powerful movement, especially of water.)
|
spurt (suggests a brief jet rather than a broad flow.)
Antonyms
trickle (a small, slow movement of liquid.)
Collocations
a gush of water
|a gush of blood
|a gush of air
|a sudden gush
|a fresh gush
|a warm gush
|a gush from the wound
|a gush from the pipe
|a gush through the door
|in a gush
Themes
daily_life
|nature
|health
Examples
- A gush of water shot from the hose when she turned it on.
- He felt a sudden gush of warm blood and grabbed a towel.
- A cold gush of air came through the open window.
Learner examples
- A gush of water came out.
- There was a gush of air.
Verb
C1
action
3
speak with excessive enthusiasm
If you gush, you talk with a lot of excited praise.
Usage pattern:
gush (about [someone/something])
Common mistake:
In this meaning, *gush* can sound a little negative (too emotional or too much praise).
Synonyms
rave (often means praise enthusiastically, especially about a product or performance.)
|
wax lyrical (suggests poetic, elaborate praise (often humorous or slightly critical).)
|
fawn (suggests praise that is overly flattering or submissive.)
Antonyms
criticize (express negative judgments instead of praise.)
|
downplay (make something seem less impressive.)
Collocations
gush about the baby
|gush about a movie
|gush over someone
|gush with praise
|gush with excitement
|gush endlessly
|gush in an interview
|gush on social media
|gush to friends
|gush in a review
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- She gushed about the restaurant to anyone who would listen.
- He gushed over his niece’s drawings and put them on the fridge.
- Reviewers gushed about the show’s clever writing.
Learner examples
- She gushed about her new job.
- He gushed over the puppy.
Noun
C1
event
4
outpouring of praise or feeling
A gush is a lot of excited praise or feeling at once.
Usage pattern:
a gush of [praise/enthusiasm/affection]
Common mistake:
This *gush* is about words/feelings, not liquid; context usually makes it clear.
Synonyms
outpouring (more neutral and slightly more formal.)
|
effusion (more formal; less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
reserve (a restrained, unemotional manner.)
|
restraint (the act of holding back strong feelings.)
Collocations
a gush of praise
|a gush of enthusiasm
|a gush of affection
|a gush of gratitude
|a gush of compliments
|a gushy message
|a gushy tribute
|a gushy review
|receive a gush of support
|respond with a gush
Themes
emotions
|communication
|media
Examples
- After her speech, she received a gush of compliments.
- His resignation prompted a gush of support online.
- She replied with a gush of gratitude and a long voicemail.
Learner examples
- He sent her a gush of praise.
- They showed a gush of support.
Noun
literary
C2
entity
5
natural rush of spring water
A gush can mean water coming out of the ground (literary).
Usage pattern:
a gush (of water) (from [rock/ground])
Common mistake:
In everyday English, people usually say *spring* rather than *gush* for this meaning.
Synonyms
spring (the common everyday word for water naturally flowing from the ground.)
Antonyms
drought (a lack of water rather than a source of it.)
Collocations
a gush from the rock
|a gush from the hillside
|a clear gush
|a cold gush
|a mountain gush
Themes
nature
|geography
Examples
- They followed the trail until they found a small gush of clear water.
- A cold gush bubbled up from between the stones.
- In the valley there was a constant gush from the hillside.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gush
IPA
GB/ɡˈʌʃ/
US/ɡˈʌʃ/
Syllables & stress
gush (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gush)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gush
Verb
- Base: gush
- 3rd Person Singular: gushes
- Present Participle: gushing
- Past: gushed
Word family
Forms
gushes
verb
gushing
verb
gushed
verb
Related words
gushy
adjective
gusher
noun
Advanced or less common
gushiness
noun
gushingly
adverb C1
Expressions
gush forth
1/ɡˈʌʃ fˈɔɹθ/
fixed phrase
literary
flow out suddenly (literary)
To come out suddenly and strongly (often in writing).
Examples
- As the pipe split, water gushed forth in a powerful stream.
- Apologies gushed forth once she realized her mistake.
- Laughter gushed forth from the back row.
gush out
1/ɡˈʌʃ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
pour out in a strong flow
To come out fast and in a lot.
Examples
- Water gushed out of the hole as soon as they moved the rock.
- When he pulled the plug, the water gushed out of the tub.
- Blood gushed out from the cut before he could cover it.
gush over
1/ɡˈʌʃ ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
praise someone too enthusiastically
To talk with excited praise about someone or something.
Examples
- She gushed over the photos and asked for copies.
- He gushed over his favorite singer in the interview.
- Everyone gushed over the baby’s first steps.