spouting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1The 'liquid' sense is neutral/technical; the 'speech' sense is informal, often pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “spouting” mean?
The action of discharging liquid, information, or speech in a forceful, often continuous stream.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action of discharging liquid, information, or speech in a forceful, often continuous stream.
A gutter or pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof; also describes sustained, often excessive or emotional, verbal expression.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in UK English for describing verbal ranting (e.g., 'he was spouting rubbish'). In US English, 'spouting off' is a common phrasal verb for complaining or boasting.
Connotations
UK: Often implies empty or foolish talk. US: Can imply boastful, opinionated, or angry speech.
Frequency
Medium-low frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “spouting” in a Sentence
[subject] + be + spouting + [from/out of] + [source][subject] + be + spouting + [direct object (words/theory/etc.)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spouting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old fountain is spouting rusty water again.
- He was spouting some absolute tosh about aliens.
American English
- The fire hydrant got hit and started spouting.
- She's always spouting off her opinions on social media.
adjective
British English
- We need to repair the spouting gutter.
- I grew tired of his spouting monologue.
American English
- The spouting well was capped by the crew.
- His spouting confidence was actually quite grating.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Negative - 'The manager kept spouting targets without a clear plan.'
Academic
Technical/descriptive - 'Observe the fluid spouting from the orifice.' Pejorative - 'The paper is just spouting old ideologies.'
Everyday
Common for leaks or complaints - 'The drainpipe is spouting water.' 'He's always spouting off about politics.'
Technical
Used in fluid dynamics, plumbing, volcanology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spouting”
- Using it for light rain (use 'dripping'). Confusing with 'shouting' (volume vs. content). Incorrect: 'He was spouting to me about...' (Correct: 'He was spouting [nonsense] at me.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes. It suggests the speech is unwelcome, excessive, poorly considered, or dogmatic. Neutral use is rare (e.g., 'spouting lines from a play' could be neutral).
Typically for liquids under pressure or in a notable volume: water, blood, oil, lava. Not for viscous liquids like honey or for a gentle flow like a tap.
Both can be critical. 'Ranting' emphasizes length, anger, and intensity. 'Spouting' emphasizes the continuous, often mindless, flow of content, which may or may not be angry.
As a technical term for a gutter system (especially in NZ/Aus), yes. Otherwise, the verbal noun ('his constant spouting') is more common than a standalone noun.
The action of discharging liquid, information, or speech in a forceful, often continuous stream.
Spouting is usually the 'liquid' sense is neutral/technical; the 'speech' sense is informal, often pejorative. in register.
Spouting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspaʊ.tɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspaʊ.t̬ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spouting off (at the mouth)”
- “like a whale spouting”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SPOUT on a teapot - spouting is what comes out of it, whether it's tea or talk.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/SPEECH ARE LIQUIDS FORCED FROM A CONTAINER.
Practice
Quiz
In an informal, pejorative context, 'spouting' most often implies: