Sputter means to make quick popping or spitting sounds, like a candle flame flickering and hissing before it goes out, or an old engine coughing and gasping as it struggles to start on a cold morning. The sound suggests something not working smoothly: irregular bursts instead of steady flow.

When a person sputters while speaking, their words come out in choppy, disconnected bits, often because they're flustered or shocked. Imagine getting caught doing something embarrassing and trying to explain yourself but only managing to say “I... but... wait... that's not...” in broken fragments. That's sputtering.

Engines sputter when they're running out of fuel or not getting enough air. A lawn mower might sputter to life, coughing and popping before settling into its normal rumble. A boat motor might sputter and die right when you need it most.

The word captures that sense of something barely functioning, struggling along with fits and starts rather than working properly. Whether it's a machine losing power, grease spattering in a hot pan, or someone too surprised to form complete sentences, sputtering describes uneven, jerky bursts that show something isn't quite right.