To blurt means to say something suddenly without thinking first, usually because of strong feelings or poor self-control. When you blurt out an answer in class before the teacher calls on you, the words just pop out of your mouth before you can stop them. When someone blurts a secret they promised to keep, they speak impulsively before remembering they shouldn't.

The word captures that uncontrolled, explosive quality of speech that happens too fast for second thoughts. You might blurt something embarrassing, blurt the punchline of a joke too early, or blurt an honest opinion that would have been better left unsaid.

Blurting usually happens when excitement, anger, nervousness, or surprise overwhelms your usual filters. A student who knows the answer might blurt it out from sheer enthusiasm. Someone might blurt an insult during an argument, then immediately wish they could take it back.