pour
/pɔː/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To make a liquid flow from one container to another, or onto something. It often means to let the liquid come out in a steady stream.
- Pour the milk into the glass.
- She poured water over the plant.
- He poured tea for everyone.
- 2.
To rain very heavily, or to come down in a strong flow. It can also mean that people or things move quickly and in large numbers.
- It was pouring all morning.
- People poured into the stadium.
- Money poured into the project.
Adinary Nuance
Pour is stronger and more physical than words like drip or spill. Use pour when liquid moves in a steady stream, or when rain falls heavily. It is also common for people moving quickly into a place, like a crowd or money flowing into a project.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- rót
- Spanish
- verter
- Chinese
- 倒
- Japanese
- 注ぐ
- Korean
- 붓다
Etymology
Pour comes from Old French pourer, from Latin porrigere, meaning “to stretch out” or “extend.” The sense of liquid flowing out developed later in English.
Common phrases
pour outpour intopour overit is pouring
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between pour and spill?
- Pour is usually done on purpose. Spill usually means liquid goes out by accident.
- Can I say it is pouring for heavy rain?
- Yes. It is a very common way to say it is raining heavily.
- Is pour used in business writing?
- Yes, especially in phrases like 'money poured into' or 'investment poured into'.