English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb A2 Elementary Common

pour

paw

Pour (verb) means to make a liquid flow steadily out of or into a container. Example: “She poured the tea into two cups.”

verb
1
To make a liquid flow steadily out of or into a container.
"She poured the tea into two cups."
"He poured himself a glass of orange juice."
2
To rain very heavily.
"It poured all afternoon, flooding the streets."
3
To move steadily in large numbers, like a stream.
"Fans poured out of the stadium after the final whistle."

How to Use Pour

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make liquid flow from one place to another, to rain hard, or to move in a steady stream, like a crowd.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
pour a drink pouring rain pour out

Word Forms

poured past tense, pours plural, pours singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “pour” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the tea into two cups.

Etymology

Of uncertain origin, first recorded in Middle English as pouren — possibly related to an Old French word meaning "to sift" or "purify" liquid.

Origin: Old French

decant tip stream gush flow teem

Related Words

Rhymes for pour

See all rhymes for pour →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “pour” mean?

The word “pour” means to make a liquid flow steadily out of or into a container. In plain terms, to make liquid flow from one place to another, to rain hard, or to move in a steady stream, like a crowd.

How do you pronounce “pour”?

“Pour” is pronounced paw (/poɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “pour” in a sentence?

Here is “pour” used in a sentence: “She poured the tea into two cups.”

What part of speech is “pour”?

“Pour” is a verb.

Where does the word “pour” come from?

The word “pour” comes from Old French. Of uncertain origin, first recorded in Middle English as pouren — possibly related to an Old French word meaning "to sift" or "purify" liquid.

Is “pour” a common word?

“Pour” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “pour” have?

“Pour” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a liquid flow steadily out of or into a container.

What is the difference between pour and pore?

Pour and pore sound alike but differ in meaning. Pour means to make a liquid flow steadily out of a container, while pore is either a tiny opening in a surface (as in skin) or the verb meaning to study something intently, as in "pore over a book."

What is the difference between pour and spill?

To pour is to make liquid flow deliberately and in a controlled, steady stream, usually into or out of a container. To spill means the liquid escapes accidentally, often making a mess.

Does pour mean to rain heavily?

Yes. Besides describing liquid flowing from a container, pour is commonly used to mean rain very heavily, as in "it's pouring outside" or "the pouring rain."

Featured In

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial