pour
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
To cause a liquid or granular substance to flow steadily from a container.
To rain heavily; to issue forth in a steady stream or large quantity; to flow freely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies controlled, steady, or abundant flow. Can be used literally (liquids) or figuratively (resources, emotions, people).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Minor spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., poured vs. poured).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] pour [OBJ] (e.g., She poured the tea).[SBJ] pour [OBJ] into/onto/over [OBJ2] (e.g., Pour the sauce over the pasta).[SBJ] pour [OBJ] from [OBJ2] (e.g., He poured wine from the bottle).[SBJ] pour + ADV (e.g., The rain poured down).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It never rains but it pours.”
- “pour cold water on something”
- “pour one's heart out”
- “pour oil on troubled waters”
- “pour scorn on”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'Investors poured millions into the startup.'
Academic
Descriptive: 'Data poured in from the sensors.'
Everyday
Literal: 'Could you pour me a glass of water?'
Technical
Specific processes: 'Pour the molten mixture into the mould.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Pour the milk into the jug, please.
- It's absolutely pouring down outside!
- He poured his savings into the renovation.
- Crowds poured onto the streets after the match.
American English
- Could you pour me some iced tea?
- It's pouring rain, so take an umbrella.
- She poured her heart out to the therapist.
- Don't pour the concrete until the frame is set.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'pouring' can be used adverbially in compounds) It was raining pouring-down hard.
American English
- (Not standard; 'pouring' can be used adverbially in compounds) The sweat was pouring off him.
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; 'pouring' is a present participle/adjective) The pouring rain forced cancellation.
American English
- (Not standard; 'pouring' is a present participle/adjective) We took shelter from the pouring rain.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please pour the milk.
- It is pouring outside.
- She poured water into the glass.
- He carefully poured the oil into the engine.
- Fans poured into the stadium.
- Can you pour me a drink while I finish cooking?
- The government has poured substantial funds into the healthcare system.
- She poured out her frustrations in a long email.
- Sunlight poured through the large windows.
- Critics poured scorn on the minister's naive proposal.
- The volcanic fissure poured forth a river of molten lava.
- Upon hearing the verdict, relief poured over the defendant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'POUR' as 'Power Of Uninterrupted Rain'.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE LIQUIDS (e.g., 'pour money into a project'), EMOTIONS ARE LIQUIDS (e.g., 'pour out one's feelings').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusion with 'наливать' (to pour) vs. 'проливать' (to spill).
- Overuse of 'pour' for 'put' or 'place' (e.g., 'He poured sugar in his tea' is correct, but 'He poured the book on the table' is wrong).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'She poured me a coffee.' (Correct: 'She poured me a cup of coffee' or 'She poured me some coffee.')
- Confusing 'pour' (controlled flow) with 'spill' (accidental flow).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'pour' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Pour' implies intentional, controlled transfer of a substance. 'Spill' implies an accidental, uncontrolled escape of a substance.
Yes, figuratively. It can be used for granular substances (sugar, sand), people (crowds poured in), money, light, or emotions, always implying a steady, abundant flow.
Yes, the present participle 'pouring' functions as an adjective, most commonly in 'pouring rain'.
It means to discourage an idea or plan, to be unenthusiastic or critical about it, thereby dampening enthusiasm.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Cooking
A2 · 50 words · Cooking methods, kitchen tools and recipes.