spring
/spɹɪŋ/
This word evokes a sense of sudden release and renewal, whether it is the biological awakening of nature or the physical snap of a metal coil. It carries a high-energy connotation, suggesting a transition from a state of dormancy or tension to one of active motion. In a social or legal context, using the verb to describe releasing someone from jail adds a colloquial, almost clandestine tone, implying a quick or strategic extraction. Regarding its grammatical behavior, the noun referring to the season is typically used without an article when discussing the time of year generally (e.g., in spring), though it becomes countable when referring to a specific year's season (e.g., a cold spring). The other noun forms follow standard countability rules based on their physical manifestations as objects or locations.
Meanings
The season of the year between winter and summer when plants begin to grow.
"The flowers bloom every spring."
To move suddenly and rapidly upward or forward.
"The cat suddenly sprang from the sofa."
A resilient coil of metal that returns to its original shape after being compressed or stretched.
"The mattress has a broken spring."
A place where water flows naturally from the ground from an underground source.
"They drank fresh water from a mountain spring."
To release someone from imprisonment or confinement.
"The lawyer worked hard to spring his client from jail."
Examples
The cherry blossoms bloom every spring.
The old mattress has a rusty spring.
They filled their bottles at a natural spring.
The athlete made a sudden spring toward the finish line.
The kitten will spring at the toy mouse.
The mechanism will spring the lock open.
His friends tried to spring him from the detention center.
Collocations & Compounds
mountain spring
Noun collocation: a natural source of water emerging from the ground
They hiked for hours to find a clear mountain spring.
bed spring
Noun collocation: a metal coil used to support a mattress
The old bed spring poked through the fabric.
spring breeze
Noun collocation: a gentle wind occurring during the season of rebirth
A cool spring breeze drifted through the open window.
spring forward
Verb collocation: to move suddenly or jump ahead
The athlete seemed to spring forward the moment the gun fired.
spring a leak
Verb collocation: to suddenly develop a hole or crack that allows fluid to escape
The pipe began to spring a leak during the freeze.
Phrasal Verbs
spring up
to appear suddenly or develop quickly
New coffee shops seem to spring up on every corner of the city.
spring back
to return quickly to an original shape or position
The high-quality foam mattress will spring back immediately after you get out of bed.
spring forward
to move the clock ahead, typically for daylight saving time
We have to spring forward one hour this Sunday morning.
spring from
to originate or derive from a specific source
The conflict seems to spring from a simple misunderstanding between the two parties.
spring out
to jump or move suddenly from a concealed position
The jack-in-the-box will spring out as soon as you turn the handle.
Idioms & Sayings
spring to mind
to be remembered or thought of suddenly
When I think of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is the first thing to spring to mind.
spring a leak
to suddenly start leaking fluid
The old radiator finally sprang a leak during the coldest night of the year.
spring for something
to pay for something, often as a treat
Since it was her birthday, her brother offered to spring for the dinner.
spring into action
to suddenly start doing something with energy
As soon as the alarm sounded, the emergency crew sprang into action.