What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spout
Example
The teapot has a spout for pouring tea. [spout: noun]
Example
The whale spouted water from its blowhole. [spouted: past tense verb]
Example
He would often spout his opinions without considering others. [spout: verb]
pour
Example
She poured the milk into her cereal bowl. [poured: past tense verb]
Example
The bartender poured a drink for the customer. [poured: past tense verb]
Example
It's raining heavily outside, and the water is pouring down the roof. [pouring: present participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pour is more commonly used than spout in everyday language. Pour is a versatile verb that covers a wide range of contexts, while spout is less common and usually used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spout and pour?
Both spout and pour are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
