spring
SPRIHNG
Spring (noun) means the season between winter and summer, when plants begin to grow again. Example: “Lambs appear in the fields in early spring.”
noun
1
The season between winter and summer, when plants begin to grow again.
"Lambs appear in the fields in early spring."
"We plan to repaint the fence as soon as spring arrives."
"The garden bursts into colour every spring."
2
A coiled piece of metal that returns to its shape after being compressed or stretched.
"The pen clicks because a tiny spring inside pushes the button back out."
"When the spring in the old clock broke, the hands stopped moving."
"The mattress springs creaked every time she rolled over."
3
A natural point where water flows up from underground.
"The village was built around a clear spring that never dried up."
"Hikers rested beside a spring and splashed cool water on their faces."
"They filled their bottles at a mountain spring."
verb
1
To jump or move suddenly and quickly.
"When the starting gun fired, the sprinters sprang from their blocks."
"The cat sprang onto the windowsill in one leap."
"She sprang out of bed when the alarm went off."
How to use spring
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: the season after winter, a coiled metal part, a natural water source, or the act of jumping suddenly.
Common pairings
spring forward
natural spring
coil spring
spring to mind
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- springs
- Past tense
- springed
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Lambs appear in the fields in early _____.
Etymology
From Old English spring ("wellspring") and spryng ("a jump"), both from Proto-Germanic roots; the season sense developed later from the idea of new growth "springing" up.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for spring
See all rhymes for spring →Frequently asked questions
What does “spring” mean?
The word “spring” means the season between winter and summer, when plants begin to grow again. In plain terms, depending on context: the season after winter, a coiled metal part, a natural water source, or the act of jumping suddenly.
How do you pronounce “spring”?
“Spring” is pronounced SPRIHNG (/ˈspɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spring” in a sentence?
Here is “spring” used in a sentence: “The garden bursts into colour every spring.”
What part of speech is “spring”?
Depending on how it is used, “spring” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spring” come from?
The word “spring” comes from Old English. From Old English spring ("wellspring") and spryng ("a jump"), both from Proto-Germanic roots; the season sense developed later from the idea of new growth "springing" up.
Is “spring” a common word?
“Spring” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “spring” have?
“Spring” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the season between winter and summer, when plants begin to grow again.
What months are spring?
In the Northern Hemisphere, spring usually covers March, April, and May, while in the Southern Hemisphere it falls in September, October, and November. Astronomically it begins at the spring equinox, around 20 March, and ends at the summer solstice in June. Exact dates vary by definition and region.
Why is it called spring?
The season is named for the way plants "spring" up from the ground as they begin to grow again after winter. The word captures this sudden return of life and growth. Older names included "springtime" and "the spring of the year," all pointing to nature reawakening.
What is the difference between spring and summer?
Spring is the season of new growth between winter and summer, with milder temperatures, longer days, and plants beginning to bloom. Summer follows it as the warmest season, when growth is at its peak. Spring is the transition into warmth; summer is the height of it.
What happens in spring?
In spring, temperatures rise, days grow longer, and plants begin to grow and flower again after winter. Trees bud, blossoms appear, and many animals breed or emerge from hibernation. It is widely seen as a season of renewal, freshness, and new beginnings in nature.
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