What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decant
Example
She decanted the red wine into a crystal carafe. [decanted: past tense]
Example
The chef decanted the sauce to remove any impurities. [decanted: verb]
pour
Example
He poured the milk into his cereal bowl. [poured: past tense]
Example
She poured the batter into the cake pan. [poured: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pour is more commonly used than decant in everyday language. Pour is a versatile verb that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while decant is a more specialized term that is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decant and pour?
Decant is typically associated with a more formal or specialized context, such as wine tasting or laboratory work. Pour, on the other hand, is more casual and everyday, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.