pour - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
pour Word Meanings
- to cause liquid to flow out from a container
- to serve a drink by transferring liquid
- to move or rush in a continuous stream
pour Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
pour Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/pɔː/
US
/pɔr/
pour Word Etymology
pour = from 'purare' (Latin, to clean, to cleanse) + 'pour' (Old French), related to flowing or casting. Imagine a stream of water cascading out of a pitcher, representing the act of pouring.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I cradle a bottle in my hand and tilt it a little to move the liquid toward the opening. The flow hesitates, then steadies as I adjust my grip and keep the bottle level just enough to stop splashing. I watch the liquid set its own rhythm, pouring into a glass as I turn my wrist and decide how full to let it get. The act of pouring becomes a small test of control, a moment of letting something flow while I hold the situation steady.
Real Context
Pour is a versatile verb used when liquid moves from one container to another, typically to serve a drink or to empty a container into a receptacle. It covers both physical action and idiomatic use, such as pouring a tea from a teapot or pouring out your feelings. Common collocations include pour a drink, pour a glass, pour out, pour from, and polite requests like Please pour me a cup. Learners should note the difference between pour and other verbs like spill, drip, or splash, and be aware of phrasal forms that shift meaning, such as pour out your heart or pour from a height.
Usage Reminders
- Pour smoothly, not splashing; use pour for serving; distinguish pour from spill; use pour out for emotional expressions; polite requests use Please pour me a cup
Common Misconceptions
- Pour always means a continuous stream, not a brief pour
- Pour is only for liquids, not powders or granulars
- Pour and spill are the same in all contexts
- Pour out always means emotions; sometimes it can mean physically emptying
- Please pour me a cup is always the polite form in every culture
Thinking Differences
English encodes pour as both a concrete action of transferring liquid and a broader idiomatic sense in phrases like pour out your heart; learners often mix up pour with spill or confuse passive serving contexts.
Learning Tips
- Practice with everyday tasks (pour coffee, pour juice)
- Compare pour with spill and drip
- Learn common collocations in context
- Use paraphrase like 'pour out your feelings' to remember idioms
- Record yourself asking for a pour in polite forms
- Read dialogues and note how natives cue politeness
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'pour'?
A.To jump
B.To sing
C.To flow
D.To sleep
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'pour' correctly?
A.The rain started to pour heavily.
B.She poured the dog carefully.
C.He poured her a story.
D.The sun poured in the sky.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'pour'?
A.Sip
B.Laugh
C.Cry
D.Dance
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'pour'?
A.Evaporate
B.Collect
C.Float
D.Freeze
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where 'pour' would be used?
A.She made a mess in the kitchen.
B.The bartender poured a drink for the customer.
C.The water spilled from the cup.
D.The students cleaned up the classroom.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
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