Pour: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when a liquid is transferred from one container to another, often in a controlled manner.

• She poured the milk into the cup.
• Can you pour me some water?

Describes liquid escaping from a container unintentionally and spreading, often implying a mess or accident. This has a negative connotation.

• He accidentally spilled his coffee all over the table.
• Be careful not to spill the paint.

Describes the movement of liquid in a continuous, steady manner, often naturally or smoothly.

• The river flows gently through the valley.
• Tears flowed down her cheeks.

Describes continuous movement resembling a small, narrow river, often emphasizing speed or a steady flow.

• A stream of cars passed by.
• A stream of water trickled down the mountain.

Used in everyday conversation to describe moderate to heavy, continuous rainfall.

• It's starting to pour outside, don’t forget your umbrella.
• They had to cancel the picnic because it began to pour.

A more neutral, descriptive term often used in reports, weather forecasts, and formal contexts to describe very heavy rain.

• It rained heavily last night, causing some flooding.
• The match was called off due to heavy rain.

Used similarly to 'pour' but often implies more intense rainfall. Commonly used in conversations and informal writing.

• We got soaked because it was pouring down.
• The weather forecast said it would pour down all afternoon.

Less commonly used, more literary or formal phrase meaning very heavy rainfall. Can also suggest an overwhelming amount or abundance.

• The sky darkened and soon it began to teem, drenching everything in sight.
• It has been teeming down for hours without a break.