pore

A very small opening in your skin through which sweat or oil comes out.

• Sweat comes out through your pores.
• This cream can block a pore.
• She gently cleaned the pores on her nose.

Common phrases: skin pore, blocked pore, pore size

A very small hole in a material, often allowing water or air to pass through.

• Water entered the pores in the rock.
• The filter traps particles larger than its pores.
• Air moves slowly through the tiny pore spaces.

Similar words: opening, hole

Common phrases: rock pore, pore space, pore structure

To read or examine something very carefully for a long time.

• I pore over the maps every evening.
• She pored over the report for hours.
• Why are you poring over those old letters?

How to use it: pore over something (He pored over the contract before signing it.)

Similar words: study, scrutinize

Common phrases: pore over something, pore over books, pore over records

To spend a long time thinking deeply about something.

• He would pore on the question for hours.
• She pored upon the meaning of his words.
• Alone by the fire, he pored on his future.

How to use it: pore on/upon something (She pored upon the reasons for her failure.)

Similar words: ponder, reflect, meditate

Common phrases: pore on something, pore upon something