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spout

C2
verbnoun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /spˈaʊt/

US

  • /ˈspaʊt/

Description

Think of a teapot: when you tilt it, liquid comes out through the narrow tube. That is the clearest image behind "spout," but the word is not only about liquids. It can also mean to send out words quickly and in a steady flow. A frustrated child might spout insults when they do not get their way, and a broken fire hydrant might spout water all over the street. The word usually suggests something coming out with force and without much control.

Examples

  1. 1

    Kettle part

    Steam curled out of the kettle’s spout.

  2. 2

    Water leak

    Water spouted from a cracked pipe under the sink.

    • Pattern

      spout from + place/source

      come out in a strong flow

  3. 3

    Volcano

    Ash and smoke spouted into the sky after the volcano erupted.

  4. 4

    Annoying talk

    He was just spouting nonsense to impress the others.

    • Pattern

      spout + words/opinions

      say a lot of them, often in an annoying or thoughtless way

  5. 5

    Opinionated talk

    She’s always spouting off about how everyone else should live.

    • Phrase

      spout off

      speak in a loud, annoying, opinionated way

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • spoutnounverb

Forms

  • spouting-ing formverbnoun
  • spoutspluralnounverb
  • spoutedpast tenseverbnoun