spring

The season of spring has begun as of today. This year it goes from March 20 to June 21. Spring brings warmer weather, rain showers, and the return of grass, plants, and flowers.

• As the snow melts, green grass emerges and the trees begin to bud.
• Spring rain showers soften the earth. Everything outside feels fresh.
• Do you like spring weather?

A spring can also be a metal coil that’s used to provide support for inside a bed mattress or movement inside a watch, a clock, or other small gadgets:

This is a spring.

However, the word "spring" can also be used as a verb:

When "spring" is used as a verb, it means to jump or quickly come out of something:

• New ideas constantly spring from her brain.
• New business are springing up in my neighborhood.
• The pipes in my garage sprang a leak after they froze. (spring a leak = something breaks and liquid is released)
• Jim’s radiator has sprung a leak. He needs to get it fixed.
• I have an idea I’d like to spring on you. (The idea is new and you’re hearing it for the first time.)

There are a few other uses for spring that are worth noting:

• In spring, many people do spring cleaning. (The house is cleaned from top to bottom.)
• Joel has had a spring in his feet ever since he started to go out with Tina. (A person who has a spring in his or her feet feels happy.)
• Our supervisor said he’d spring for lunch. (spring for = pay for)

Note: If you are having trouble with the "spr" sound, click here to practice your pronunciation.

Click here to learn more words.

March 20, 2013