Spout
/spaʊt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo eject liquid in a stream or jet; to express or utter in a rapid or excited manner.
/spaʊt/
To eject liquid forcefully, or to speak at length.
The fountain spouted water high in the air.
💡 Simply: Imagine a geyser shooting water into the sky! To 'spout' means something is shooting out a liquid, like a fountain, or that you're talking a lot really fast, like you can't stop!
👶 For kids: To squirt something out like water, or to talk a lot.
More Examples
The geyser spouted boiling water.
He began to spout nonsense when he was nervous.
She spouted off a long list of reasons why she was late.
How It's Used
"The whale spouted water high into the air."
"He spouted a long list of complaints."
A projecting tube or opening through which a liquid is discharged.
/spaʊt/
A projecting tube or opening for liquid.
The tea poured easily from the spout of the teapot.
💡 Simply: The 'spout' is that little part on a teapot or a watering can where the water comes out, kind of like the nose on a face, but for pouring things!
👶 For kids: A part that sticks out so liquid can come out.
More Examples
The rain gutter's spout directed water away from the house.
The kettle had a cracked spout.
The spout on the watering can made it easy to reach the plants.
How It's Used
"The kettle's spout was dripping."
"The gutter's spout directed rainwater away."
Synonyms
Blurt
Declare
Jet
Rant
Discharge
Faucet
Nozzle
Outlet
Idioms & expressions
spout off
To talk at length, often about something you know little about.
"He loves to spout off about politics, even though he doesn't understand the details."
From Middle English *spouten*, from Old French *espoutier* (to pour out), from *es-*, (out) + *poutier* (to pour). Related to the modern French word *époutir*. Its origins reflect the action of ejecting liquid or material.
The word 'spout' has been used since the 14th century to describe a projecting outlet or an act of pouring or speaking forcefully. Early uses often related to fountains and other liquid streams.
Memory tip
Think of a whale's spout of water. Also, people who 'spout' are quickly talking a lot.