spout

The small tube or projecting edge of a container through which liquid comes out.

• The teapot’s spout is broken.
• Water dripped from the kettle spout.
• This jug has a wide spout for easy pouring.

Common phrases: a teapot spout, a narrow spout, pouring spout

A strong, narrow stream of liquid shooting out of something.

• A spout of water shot into the air.
• The fountain produced several tall spouts.
• We saw a whale’s spout above the waves.

Similar words: jet, stream

Common phrases: a spout of water, a powerful spout, a whale spout

A pipe or channel that carries water away, especially from a roof.

• Rainwater ran down the spout.
• Leaves had blocked the spout beside the roof.
• Workers fitted new spouts to carry water away from the building.

Similar words: downpipe, drainpipe

Common phrases: a blocked spout, roof spout, rainwater spout

A narrow stream of water falling from a higher place to a lower one.

• A narrow spout fell from the cliff.
• We rested beside a spout that fed a clear pool.
• Small spouts poured down the hillside after the rain.

Similar words: waterfall, cascade

Common phrases: a mountain spout, a narrow spout

To flow out suddenly in a strong, narrow stream.

• Water spouted from the pipe.
• Hot liquid was spouting out of the hole.
• Blood spouted from the wound before they stopped it.

How to use it: spout from something (Water spouted from a crack in the tank.)

Similar words: gush, jet

Common phrases: spout from something, spout into something, spout out

To send liquid out in a strong, narrow stream.

• The fountain spouts water.
• A damaged pump spouted oil onto the floor.
• The whale spouted beside our boat.

Similar words: eject, spray

Common phrases: spout water, spout steam, spout into something

To talk for too long in a way that sounds self-important or annoys people.

• He spouted on for an hour.
• She kept spouting about her brilliant ideas.
• Nobody listened while the speaker spouted pompously about himself.

How to use it: spout about something (He spouted about politics throughout dinner.)

Similar words: pontificate, hold forth

Common phrases: spout about something, spout on endlessly, spout off

To say or recite something in a grand, self-important way.

• He spouted a grand speech.
• The actor spouted poetry from the balcony.
• She was spouting impressive phrases without explaining what they meant.

Similar words: declaim

Common phrases: spout nonsense, spout poetry, spout empty phrases