spout
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the part of a container, like a teapot or a jug, where the liquid comes out.
n.a tube, lip, or pipe through which liquid is poured or discharged from a container.
Simple“Be careful when you pour the tea because the spout is a bit chipped.”
In context“The designer modified the teapot's spout to ensure a steady, laminar flow that would not drip onto the tablecloth.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a strong stream of liquid or water that comes out of something.
n.a forceful discharge or jet of liquid, such as water from a fountain or air and water from a whale's blowhole.
Simple“A spout of water shot up from the broken pipe in the street.”
In context“The whale emerged briefly, sending a tall spout of mist into the air before diving back into the dark Atlantic waters.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to flow or come out very quickly and with force.
v.to gush or eject liquid in a rapid, forceful stream.
Simple“Blood began to spout from the deep cut on his arm.”
In context“Oil began to spout from the rig after the pressure seal failed, creating an immediate environmental crisis.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to talk a lot about something in a way that is boring or shows off.
v.to speak or recite something in a pompous, repetitive, or oratorical manner.
Simple“He spent the whole dinner spouting his opinions about politics.”
In context“The candidate continued to spout tired slogans long after the audience had lost interest in the debate.”
UsageOften used with 'off' or 'on' to describe someone talking without stopping.
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to leave something valuable with a shop to get a loan.
v.to pledge an object as security for a loan; to pawn.
Simple“He had to spout his watch just to pay the rent that month.”
In context“In the Victorian era, it was not uncommon for desperate workers to spout their Sunday clothes to buy bread for the week.”
“From a location with especially dark skies, you might also notice a faint, cloudy band that appears to rise like steam from the Teapot's spout.”
From Middle English spouten, from Middle Dutch spoiten, spouten (> Dutch spuiten (“to spout”)), from Old Dutch spūten, spīuten, spīwetten, from Proto-West Germanic spīwattjan, from Proto-Germanic *spīwatjaną. Compare Swedish spruta (“squirt, syringe”). See also spit, spew.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.