fountain
FOWN-tihn
Fountain (noun) means a structure that shoots or sprays water, often as a decoration in a public space. Example: “Children splashed around the fountain in the town square on a hot afternoon.”
noun
1
A structure that shoots or sprays water, often as a decoration in a public space.
"Children splashed around the fountain in the town square on a hot afternoon."
"A fountain in the hotel garden sprayed water high into the air."
"Tourists tossed coins into the fountain for good luck."
2
A natural spring where water rises from the ground.
"Clear water bubbled up from a fountain at the foot of the hill."
"Travellers once stopped to drink at the fountain beside the old road."
"The village well was fed by a fountain deep underground."
3
A source or origin of something, such as knowledge or generosity.
"Her grandfather was a fountain of wisdom and always had good advice."
"The teacher was a fountain of kindness to every nervous new pupil."
"The library was a fountain of information for the young scholar."
How to use fountain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA water feature that sprays or flows, or figuratively, a rich source of something.
Common pairings
water fountain
fountain of knowledge
drinking fountain
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Word forms
- Plural
- fountains
- Third person singular
- fountains
- Past tense
- fountained
Fill the gap
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Children splashed around the _____ in the town square on a hot afternoon.
Etymology
From Old French fontaine, from Latin fons, "spring" or "source."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for fountain
See all rhymes for fountain →Frequently asked questions
What does “fountain” mean?
The word “fountain” means a structure that shoots or sprays water, often as a decoration in a public space. In plain terms, a water feature that sprays or flows, or figuratively, a rich source of something.
How do you pronounce “fountain”?
“Fountain” is pronounced FOWN-tihn ([ˈfaʊn.tn̩] in IPA).
How do you use “fountain” in a sentence?
Here is “fountain” used in a sentence: “Tourists tossed coins into the fountain for good luck.”
What part of speech is “fountain”?
“Fountain” is a noun.
Where does the word “fountain” come from?
The word “fountain” comes from Latin. From Old French fontaine, from Latin fons, "spring" or "source.".
Is “fountain” a common word?
“Fountain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “fountain” have?
“Fountain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure that shoots or sprays water, often as a decoration in a public space.
What is the difference between a "fountain" and a "spring"?
A "fountain" usually refers to a built structure that shoots or sprays water, often for decoration in a public space. A "spring" is a natural place where water rises from the ground, though "fountain" can also describe such a natural source in more literary use.
What is the difference between a "fountain" and a "waterfall"?
A "fountain" pushes water upward or sprays it, usually through a man-made structure that often recirculates the same water. A "waterfall" is water falling downward over a drop, and it is typically a natural feature of a river or stream.
Why is someone called a "fountain of knowledge"?
In this figurative sense, a "fountain" is a source or origin from which something flows freely and plentifully. Calling a person "a fountain of knowledge" means they are a rich source of information, and "the fountain of youth" similarly names a legendary source of lasting youth.
What is the difference between a "fountain" and a "drinking fountain"?
A "fountain" on its own usually means a decorative structure that sprays water. A "drinking fountain", also called a "water fountain" or a "bubbler" in some regions, is a fixture that provides a stream of water for people to drink.
