How do you use "pour"?

Transitive; usually takes a preposition like 'into', 'out of', or 'over'. Often used as an impersonal verb: 'It is pouring'. Intransitive; often followed by a directional preposition. Commonly used as 'pour out one's heart' or 'pour out one's feelings'.

pour — meaning, definition & examples

Q: What does "pour" mean?

1. (to flow from a container) to make a liquid flow out of a container and into something else. 2. (to rain heavily) to rain very hard for a long time. 3. (to move in a crowd) when a large number of people move quickly in one direction. 4. (to express feelings) to talk a lot about your feelings or secrets to someone. 5. (an amount poured) the act of pouring a drink, or the amount that is poured.

Q: Is it correct to say "She poured the cup with tea."?

No — say "She poured tea into the cup.". You pour the liquid (the substance), not the container itself.

Word

01to flow from a container

B1 · Intermediate

v. to make a liquid flow out of a container and into something else.

v. to cause a liquid or a substance consisting of small particles to flow in a continuous stream from a container.

“He poured some cold water into a glass for his guest.”

“The waiter carefully poured the vintage wine into the decanter, ensuring that no sediment disturbed the clarity of the liquid.”

Usage

Transitive; usually takes a preposition like 'into', 'out of', or 'over'.

Pitfall

She poured the cup with tea.

She poured tea into the cup.

You pour the liquid (the substance), not the container itself.

Synonyms

decantserve spill

02to rain heavily

B1 · Intermediate

v. to rain very hard for a long time.

v. to rain heavily and continuously; often used in the impersonal 'it' construction.

“We couldn't go for a walk because it started to pour with rain.”

“It has been pouring since dawn, turning the garden paths into small streams and forcing the cancellation of the outdoor festival.”

Usage

Often used as an impersonal verb: 'It is pouring'.

Synonyms

teempelt bucket down

Antonyms

drizzle

03to move in a crowd

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. when a large number of people move quickly in one direction.

v. to move or proceed in large numbers or a continuous stream.

“Thousands of fans poured out of the stadium after the game ended.”

“As soon as the doors opened, the crowd poured into the hall, eager to secure the best seats for the keynote speech.”

Usage

Intransitive; often followed by a directional preposition.

Synonyms

stream flood swarm

Antonyms

trickle

04to express feelings

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to talk a lot about your feelings or secrets to someone.

v. to express one's emotions or thoughts freely and at length, typically in the phrasal verb 'pour out'.

“She poured out her heart to her best friend after the breakup.”

“In his final letter, he poured out his frustrations regarding the project's failure and his lack of support from the board.”

Usage

Commonly used as 'pour out one's heart' or 'pour out one's feelings'.

Synonyms

vent disclose

Antonyms

suppress hide

05an amount poured

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. the act of pouring a drink, or the amount that is poured.

n. the act of pouring a liquid, or a specific serving of a beverage.

“The bartender gave him a very generous pour of whiskey.”

“The sommelier noted that a standard pour for the tasting menu would be exactly three ounces per glass.”

Synonyms

serving measure

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pour” in context.

Verb

01. pour down

“We had to run for cover when the rain started to pour down.”

verb + adv

02. pour steadily

“The rain continued to pour steadily throughout the afternoon.”

verb + adv

Noun

03. pour coffee

“He poured coffee into the mugs and handed them to the guests.”

verb + noun

04. pour into

“Pour the mixture into a large baking tin.”

verb + prep

05. pour liquid

“Carefully pour liquid into the measuring cup.”

verb + noun

06. pour over

“Pour the hot sauce over the pasta before serving.”

verb + prep

07. pour tea

“Would you like me to pour tea for you?”

verb + noun

08. pour water

“She poured water into the vase to keep the flowers fresh.”

verb + noun

09. pour wine

“The waiter poured wine for everyone at the table.”

verb + noun

10. pour cold water on

“The committee poured cold water on his plans for a new office.”

11. pour money into

“The government is pouring money into the healthcare system.”

12. pour out your heart

“She poured out her heart to her best friend after the breakup.”

From Middle English pouren (“to pour”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Old Northern French purer (“to sift (grain), pour out (water)”), from Latin pūrō (“to purify”), from pūrus (“pure”). Compare Middle Dutch afpuren (“to pour off, drain”). To pour displaced several Middle English verbs: schenchen, schenken (“to pour”), from Old English sċenċan (“to pour out”) and Old Norse skenkja, from Proto-Germanic skankijaną. Compare dialectal English shink, skink. yeten, from Old English ġēotan (“to pour”), from Proto-Germanic geutaną. * birlen (“to pour, serve drink to”), from Old English byrelian (“to pour, serve drink to”). * hellen (“to pour, pour out”), from Old Norse hella (“to pour out, incline”). * temen (“to pour out, empty”), from Old Norse tœma (“to pour out, empty”). Compare archaic English teem.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.