/ɪˈrʌpt/
erupt
BrE /ɪˈrʌpt/
NAmE /ɪˈrʌpt/
[I, T]
when a volcano, the burning rocks, etc. are thrown out from the erupts or burning rocks, smoke, etc. erupt or are erupted, the burning rocks, etc. are thrown out from the volcano
The volcano could erupt at any time.
~ from sth
Ash began to erupt from the crater.
~ sth
An immense volume of rocks and molten lava was erupted.
explodeblow up ◇ go off ◇ burst ◇ erupt ◇ detonate
These are all words that can be used when sth bursts apart violently, causing damage or injury.
explode to burst loudly and violently, causing damage; to make sth burst in this way：
The jet smashed into a hillside and exploded.
The bomb was exploded under controlled conditions.
blow (sth) up to be destroyed by an explosion; to destroy sth by an explosion：
A police officer was killed when his car blew up.
go off (of a bomb) to explode; (of a gun) to be fired：
The bomb went off in a crowded street.
NOTE When used about guns, the choice of go off (instead of ‘be fired’) can suggest that the gun was fired by accident.
burst to break open or apart, especially because of pressure from inside; to make sth break in this way：
That balloon’s going to burst.
erupt (of a volcano) to throw out burning rocks and smoke; (of burning rocks and smoke) to be thrown out of a volcano
detonate (rather formal) (of a bomb) to explode; to make a bomb explode：
Two other bombs failed to detonate.
Patterns
a bomb explodes/blows up/goes off/bursts/detonates
a car/plane/vehicle explodes/blows up
a firework/rocket explodes/goes off
[I]
to start happening, suddenly and violently
SYN break out
Violence erupted outside the embassy gates.
~ into sth
The unrest erupted into revolution.
[I, T]
to suddenly express your feelings very strongly, especially by shouting loudly
When Davis scored for the third time the crowd erupted.
~ in/into sth
My father just erupted into fury.
+ speech
‘How dare you?’ she erupted.
[I] (of spots, etc.)
to suddenly appear on your skin
A rash had erupted all over his chest.
▸
erup·tion
BrE /ɪˈrʌpʃn/
NAmE /ɪˈrʌpʃn/
[C, U]
a major volcanic eruption
an eruption of violent protest
skin rashes and eruptions