Sprung
/sprʌŋ/
verbadjectiveB2past tense (verb), past participle (verb)
Definition
Sprung is the past tense and past participle of 'spring.' It means to have moved or jumped suddenly or quickly. It can also describe something that has been stretched, released, or opened by force or action.
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See It in Action
Moved or jumped suddenly and quickly
- •The cat sprung onto the table to catch the bird.
- •She sprung up from her chair when she heard the noise.
- •The athlete sprung forward at the start of the race.
Something stretched, released, or opened quickly
- •The trap was sprung when the animal stepped on it.
- •The door had sprung open after the wind blew hard.
- •The spring in the mattress has sprung, making it uncomfortable.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'sprung' like 'jumped,' but faster and with more energy or surprise.
- ✓Picture a small animal, like a frog, quickly jumping into the air.
- ✓It’s the feeling when a trap suddenly opens or a door suddenly pops open.
- ✓Sounds like 'spring' but changed at the end to '-ung,' like a quick snap or sudden action.
- ✓Imagine a spring toy that suddenly jumps up when you press a button.
- ✓NOT like 'walked' (slow, calm movement), 'sprung' is quick and sudden.
- ✓NOT like 'opened' slowly, 'sprung' means something opened fast or by force.
- ✓NOT like 'fell,' which is uncontrolled; 'sprung' is active and sudden movement.
Try Other Words
- •Leaped: moved quickly and high into the air (Use when movement is strong and high)
- •Popped: opened or appeared suddenly (Use when something opens or appears quickly)
- •Activated: caused to start working (Use when something like a trap or device starts working)
- •Released: set free or let go (Use when something is set free suddenly)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: spring (root) + -ed (past tense suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English 'springan,' meaning to jump, burst, or leap
- •Historical development: Used since Old English times to mean sudden movement or action
- •Modern usage: Used as past tense of 'spring' and as an adjective to describe things stretched or released quickly
- •Interesting fact: 'Sprung' is often used in phrases like 'trap sprung' to mean a trap has been activated
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when something suddenly 'sprung' and surprised you? What happened?
•How does the word 'sprung' help describe quick actions better than just 'jumped' or 'moved'?
Fill in the blanks
1.The cat ___ onto the windowsill before anyone could stop it.
2.When the mouse stepped on the trap, it ___ immediately.
3.The door had ___ open because the wind was very strong last night.
4.She ___ up from her seat when she heard her name called.
5.Unlike walking slowly, to be ___ means to move ___ and suddenly.
6.The mattress feels uncomfortable because one of its springs has ___.
7.When the alarm was ___, everyone knew something was wrong.