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B1 Noun / Verb #8 最常用 16分钟阅读

spout

前8

At the A1 level, 'spout' is a word you might see in very simple stories or nursery rhymes. Think of the 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' song where the spider goes up the 'waterspout.' A spout is just a part of a thing that water comes out of. You can see a spout on a teapot or a kettle. It looks like a little nose or a tube. When you want to pour tea into a cup, the tea comes out of the spout. It is a very simple object. You might also hear it when people talk about whales in the ocean. A whale has a hole on its head, and when it breathes, water and air come out like a little fountain. That is also called a spout. At this level, you only need to know that a spout is a place where water or other liquids come out in a stream. It is a noun, a name for a thing. You don't need to worry about the harder meanings yet. Just remember the teapot and the spider's pipe.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'spout' as both a noun and a simple verb. As a noun, you know it's the part of a teapot or a watering can. You might say, 'The water comes out of the spout.' As a verb, it means that liquid is coming out quickly. For example, 'The water spouts from the fountain.' It's a bit stronger than 'pours.' You can also learn about 'downspouts' on a house. These are the pipes that take rain from the roof to the ground. If you see a lot of water coming out of a pipe very fast, you can say it is 'spouting.' This level is about describing what you see. If you see a whale in a book, you can say, 'Look at the whale's spout!' It's a useful word for describing how liquids move in a forceful way. You are starting to see that 'spout' is about a directed flow of something, usually water.

At the B1 level, you should understand the more metaphorical and critical uses of 'spout.' While you still use it for teapots and whales, you will now hear it used to describe how people talk. If someone is 'spouting' information, they are talking a lot, often in a way that is a bit annoying or boring. For example, 'He was spouting facts about cars all evening.' This implies that he wasn't really having a conversation, but just letting out a stream of words. You might also encounter the phrasal verb 'spout off,' which means to talk loudly or complain about something. 'She's always spouting off about her boss.' This is a more informal way to use the word. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between the physical action (water spouting from a pipe) and the social action (someone spouting nonsense). It's a great word to add more flavor to your descriptions of people's behavior.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'spout' in a variety of contexts, including more formal or idiomatic ones. You might use it to describe architectural features, like 'gargoyle spouts' on old buildings, or technical phenomena like 'waterspouts' (tornadoes over water). In terms of speech, you understand the nuance that 'spouting' often implies a lack of original thought—someone is just repeating what they've heard. You might read in a news article that a politician is 'spouting rhetoric' or 'spouting platitudes.' This means they are saying things that sound important but are actually empty or unoriginal. You can also use the British idiom 'up the spout,' meaning something has gone wrong or is ruined. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its slightly negative connotation when applied to human communication. You know that 'spouting' is the opposite of 'articulating' or 'discussing' because it suggests a one-way, forceful delivery.

At the C1 level, you can use 'spout' with precision to convey specific tones in your writing and speaking. You might use it to create vivid imagery: 'The artery spouted blood with every heartbeat,' or 'The volcano spouted plumes of toxic ash.' In these cases, 'spout' emphasizes the rhythmic or high-pressure nature of the release. In social and intellectual critiques, you use 'spout' to dismiss an argument as being mechanical or superficial. You might describe an academic as 'spouting jargon' to hide a lack of real insight. You are also aware of the word's history and its relation to other words like 'spew' or 'gush,' choosing 'spout' when you want to emphasize the channel through which the material is coming. Your vocabulary is sophisticated enough to use 'spout' as a tool for satire or sharp description, recognizing that it reduces the speaker to a mere conduit for words rather than a thoughtful participant in a dialogue.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'spout,' including its most subtle and literary applications. You might use it in a metaphorical sense to describe the 'spouting' of ideologies or the 'spouting' of cultural trends, suggesting a forceful but perhaps transient or shallow movement. You understand how the word can be used to dehumanize a speaker, turning their voice into a mechanical function. You might encounter the word in complex literature where it describes the 'spouting' of a fountain as a symbol of life or the 'spouting' of a whale as a sublime natural event. You can navigate the transition between its technical plumbing definitions and its most abstract rhetorical uses without hesitation. Your command of the word allows you to use it ironically or with great dramatic effect, fully aware of the layers of meaning—from the domestic teapot to the terrifying waterspout—that the word carries in the collective English consciousness.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

spout 30秒了解

A spout is a physical nozzle or opening on a container like a teapot or a drainage pipe used for directing the flow of liquid.
It also refers to the spray of water and air expelled by a whale when it surfaces to breathe in the ocean.
As a verb, it describes liquid shooting out forcefully or a person talking incessantly and pompously about a particular topic.
The word often carries a negative connotation when applied to speech, suggesting the speaker is unthinking, repetitive, or showing off.

The word spout is a versatile term in the English language that functions both as a noun and a verb, carrying meanings that range from the purely functional and domestic to the biological and even the derogatory. At its most basic level, a spout is a physical attachment to a container, such as a teapot, a watering can, or a pitcher, designed to direct the flow of liquid as it is poured. This physical object is essential for precision, preventing spills and ensuring that the liquid reaches its intended destination. Beyond the kitchen, the term extends to architecture and urban planning, where a downspout or a rain spout is a pipe that carries rainwater from a roof to the ground, protecting the building's foundation from water damage. In the natural world, we encounter the 'spout' of a whale—the dramatic spray of water and air expelled through the animal's blowhole when it surfaces to breathe. This biological function is one of the most iconic sights in marine biology, often serving as the first sign for whale watchers that a leviathan is nearby.

The Physical Noun: A tube or lip through which liquid is poured or discharged, such as the curved neck of a teapot or the exit point of a fountain.
The Biological Noun: The column of spray and air ejected by a whale or other cetacean when it breathes at the surface of the ocean.
The Action Verb: To flow out or be ejected with great force and in large quantities, often used to describe water from a broken pipe or blood from a wound.
The Figurative Verb: To speak or utter words in a pompous, repetitive, or unthinking manner, frequently used to describe someone reciting facts or opinions they don't fully understand.

When used as a verb, 'spout' takes on a more dynamic and sometimes critical tone. If a pipe bursts, water might spout across the room, indicating a high-pressure, uncontrolled release. However, the most common metaphorical use of the verb refers to human speech. When we say someone is 'spouting' information, we are often implying that they are talking too much, perhaps showing off their knowledge or repeating slogans without critical thought. This usage is almost always negative, suggesting that the speaker is like a mechanical spout—simply letting out a stream of words without any filter or genuine engagement. For example, a politician might be accused of spouting 'empty promises' or 'meaningless rhetoric.' In this context, the word conveys a sense of annoyance or boredom on the part of the listener, who feels overwhelmed by a continuous, forceful, yet ultimately shallow stream of talk.

The broken fire hydrant began to spout water high into the air, drenching the passing cars.

The word's versatility allows it to move between the mundane and the spectacular. A child might learn the word through the nursery rhyme 'Itsy Bitsy Spider,' where the spider climbs up the 'waterspout.' In this childhood context, the word is neutral and descriptive. Yet, in a heated debate, telling someone to 'stop spouting nonsense' is a sharp rebuke. The imagery remains consistent: a spout is a channel for a forceful stream. Whether that stream is life-giving water, a whale's breath, or a barrage of words, the core concept of a directed, forceful output remains. Understanding the context is key to using 'spout' correctly. You wouldn't use it to describe a gentle trickle or a thoughtful, slow conversation. It implies volume, force, and often, a lack of restraint.

I watched the blue whale's spout rise from the horizon, a clear sign of the giant beneath the waves.

The teapot's spout was so narrow that the tea poured out in a tiny, elegant stream.

He spent the whole dinner spouting conspiracy theories that no one else believed.

Rainwater rushed down the spout and into the collection barrel during the storm.

Using 'spout' effectively requires a grasp of its dual nature as a noun for objects and a verb for actions. When using it as a noun, you are typically identifying a specific part of a tool or a natural phenomenon. For instance, in a kitchen setting, the spout is the most critical part of a vessel designed for pouring. You might say, 'The olive oil bottle has a special spout that prevents dripping,' or 'The kettle is whistling because steam is escaping through the spout.' In these cases, the word is purely functional. In architectural contexts, you might refer to a 'gargoyle spout' on a cathedral, which serves the practical purpose of directing water away from the stone walls while also being decorative. The noun can also refer to the liquid itself if it is moving in a forceful stream: 'A spout of blood erupted from the wound,' though this is more graphic and less common in everyday conversation.

Subject-Verb Agreement: When 'spout' is the verb, ensure it matches the subject: 'The fountain spouts water' (singular) vs. 'The fountains spout water' (plural).
Transitive vs. Intransitive: It can be used with an object ('He spouts lies') or without ('Water spouted from the ground').

As a verb, 'spout' often describes the manner in which something is released. It implies pressure and speed. If you say, 'Blood spouted from the cut,' you are conveying a much more urgent and severe image than if you said 'Blood leaked from the cut.' This intensity is what makes the word so effective in descriptive writing. In metaphorical use, the verb 'spout' is almost always followed by what is being said: 'spouting jargon,' 'spouting nonsense,' 'spouting statistics,' or 'spouting poetry.' Note that 'spouting poetry' might be used more neutrally or even positively if the person is doing it with great passion, but even then, it suggests a continuous, unstoppable flow of words. If you want to describe someone who is talking incessantly about a topic they are obsessed with, 'spouting' is the perfect verb to capture that relentless energy.

The oil well began to spout crude oil, signaling a massive discovery for the drilling team.

One interesting phrasal variation is 'to spout off.' This usually means to speak angrily or to boast about something. For example, 'He's always spouting off about how much money he makes.' This adds a layer of social commentary to the word, suggesting that the speaker is not only talking a lot but is also being somewhat obnoxious or arrogant. Another common phrase is 'up the spout,' which is a British idiom meaning that something has gone wrong or is ruined. For example, 'All our plans are up the spout now that the funding has been cut.' This idiom likely refers to something being lost down a drain or pipe, never to be recovered. When writing, consider the 'force' of the word. 'Spout' is not a quiet word; it is loud, visible, and often messy.

She didn't just speak; she would spout entire chapters of her favorite novels from memory.

The gardener noticed that the spout of the watering can was clogged with debris.

Whenever he gets nervous, he starts spouting random facts about history.

The volcano began to spout ash and steam, warning the villagers of an imminent eruption.

Common Object Pairs: Teapot, kettle, watering can, oil can, pump, fountain, gutter, drainpipe.

In the modern world, you are likely to encounter 'spout' in several distinct environments. The most common is the domestic sphere. If you are shopping for kitchenware, you will see product descriptions highlighting 'drip-free spouts' or 'precision-pour spouts.' In this context, the word is a mark of quality and engineering. Home improvement stores like Home Depot or B&Q are another common location, where you might ask for a 'downspout' for your gutter system. Here, the word is technical and essential for home maintenance. If you are a fan of nature documentaries, especially those focusing on marine life, the narrator will almost certainly use the word to describe the breathing of whales. 'The humpback's spout can reach heights of ten feet,' is a typical sentence you might hear, emphasizing the power of the animal's respiratory system.

Kitchen & Dining: Used to describe the pouring part of teapots, kettles, and jugs. Often associated with 'drip-free' or 'long-neck' designs.
Construction & Plumbing: Refers to downspouts, rain spouts, and the outlets of faucets or pumps.
Marine Biology: Describes the spray of water and air from a whale's blowhole.

The metaphorical use of 'spout' is very common in political and social commentary. You will hear it on news programs or read it in opinion pieces when a journalist wants to criticize a speaker's delivery. 'The candidate continued to spout the same tired talking points,' is a common critique. In this setting, 'spout' suggests that the speaker is not engaging in a real dialogue but is instead just repeating a pre-recorded message. You might also hear it in casual conversation among friends when someone is complaining about a third party: 'I can't stand the way he spouts off about his marathon times.' It conveys a sense of being 'talked at' rather than 'talked with.' This distinction is vital for understanding the social nuance of the word.

The news anchor criticized the official for spouting statistics without providing any context or solutions.

In literature and film, 'spout' can be used to create vivid imagery of disaster or intense emotion. A broken pipe in a submarine movie might spout steam, adding to the tension of the scene. In a classic novel, a character might be described as 'spouting' Shakespearean sonnets to show their romantic or perhaps slightly eccentric nature. The word also appears in the context of 'waterspouts,' which are intense columnar vortices (similar to tornadoes) that occur over a body of water. Weather reports in coastal areas might warn of 'waterspouts' during a storm, which is a much more dangerous and powerful application of the term than a simple teapot. From the tiny drip of a kettle to the massive vortex of a storm, 'spout' covers a wide spectrum of physical phenomena.

The fountain in the center of the plaza has four lion heads that spout water into the basin.

I need to fix the spout on the kitchen sink; it's spraying water everywhere except the drain.

Stop spouting those lies; we all know what really happened at the meeting.

The whale's spout was visible for miles against the clear blue sky of the Arctic.

Professional Contexts: Baristas (milk spouts), Plumbers (drain spouts), Marine Biologists (whale spouts), Journalists (spouting rhetoric).

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'spout' is confusing it with other words related to liquid flow, such as 'pour,' 'spray,' or 'leak.' While all these words involve liquid moving, 'spout' specifically implies a forceful, directed stream coming from a particular opening. You 'pour' water gently from a glass, but a fountain 'spouts' water into the air. If you use 'spout' for a gentle action, it sounds unnatural. For example, saying 'He spouted a little bit of milk into his coffee' is incorrect because 'spout' suggests a much higher volume and pressure than is appropriate for a coffee cup. Another common error is using 'spout' as a noun for any pipe. A 'spout' is specifically the end part or the exit point. The long pipe that carries water from the roof is a 'downspout,' but the pipe inside your walls is just a 'pipe.' Calling a standard water pipe a 'spout' would be a misuse of the term.

Spout vs. Pour: 'Pour' is the general action of moving liquid. 'Spout' is the specific exit point or a very forceful flow.
Spout vs. Gush: 'Gush' implies a sudden, large volume of liquid. 'Spout' implies that the liquid is coming through a narrow opening or channel.

In the metaphorical sense, the biggest mistake is using 'spout' to describe a positive or thoughtful conversation. Because 'spout' carries a connotation of being unthinking or pompous, using it to describe a wise teacher or a deep philosophical discussion would be insulting. If you say, 'The professor spouted wisdom for an hour,' it sounds like you think the professor was just talking a lot without any real depth, even if you meant it as a compliment. For positive speech, use words like 'shared,' 'imparted,' or 'articulated.' Save 'spout' for when someone is repeating clichés, reciting facts mechanically, or talking over others. Additionally, be careful with the phrasal verb 'spout off.' It is quite informal and can be seen as aggressive. Telling someone to 'stop spouting off' is a direct challenge and should be used only in appropriate social contexts.

Incorrect: She spouted a few drops of perfume on her wrist. (Correct: She sprayed...)

Grammatically, some learners forget that 'spout' can be both transitive and intransitive. You can say 'The kettle spouts steam' (transitive) or 'Steam spouts from the kettle' (intransitive). Both are correct, but they emphasize different things. The first emphasizes the kettle as the source, while the second emphasizes the steam itself. Another subtle mistake is confusing 'spout' with 'snout.' A 'snout' is the nose of an animal like a pig or a dog. While they sound similar, they are completely unrelated. Finally, remember that 'spout' as a noun is countable. You can have 'two spouts' on a dual-pour container, but you cannot say 'there was much spout' when referring to liquid; you would say 'there was a large spout of water' or 'much water was spouting.'

Incorrect: The teacher spouted the lesson so beautifully that everyone cried. (Correct: The teacher delivered...)

Incorrect: I drank water from the spout of the bottle. (Correct: I drank from the mouth/opening of the bottle.)

Incorrect: The rain spouted down from the sky. (Correct: The rain poured down...)

Incorrect: He has a long spout like a dog. (Correct: He has a long snout...)

Common Confusions: Spout (pouring part) vs. Snout (animal nose); Spout (forceful flow) vs. Pour (general flow).

To truly master 'spout,' it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and alternatives. Depending on the context, you might choose a word that is more precise or carries a different emotional weight. For the physical noun, alternatives include 'nozzle,' 'lip,' 'outlet,' or 'vent.' A 'nozzle' is usually a separate attachment that can be adjusted, like on a garden hose, whereas a 'spout' is often an integral part of the container. A 'lip' is a much smaller, shallower opening, like on a measuring cup. If you are talking about a fountain, 'jet' is a strong alternative that emphasizes the height and speed of the water. 'The fountain's jet reached the second floor' sounds more technical and powerful than 'spout.' For a whale, 'blow' is the specific biological term often used by researchers instead of 'spout.'

Nozzle: A mechanical device used to control the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow. More technical than 'spout.'
Gush: To flow out suddenly and in great volume. Emphasizes the quantity more than the directed nature of 'spout.'
Pontificate: To speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner. This is a more formal and sophisticated alternative to the metaphorical 'spout.'

When using 'spout' as a verb for speech, alternatives include 'ramble,' 'drone on,' 'pontificate,' 'declaim,' or 'babble.' 'Ramble' suggests a lack of direction, while 'spout' suggests a forceful, continuous stream. 'Drone on' implies that the speaker is boring and monotonous. 'Pontificate' is a great word for someone who is speaking as if they are an ultimate authority, which is a specific type of 'spouting.' If someone is speaking very quickly and incoherently, 'babble' is a better choice. Choosing the right word depends on the specific quality of the speech you want to highlight. If the emphasis is on the sheer volume and the repetitive nature of the talk, 'spout' remains the best option. It captures that sense of a person being like a machine that has been turned on and won't stop.

Instead of a simple spout, the high-tech sink featured a multi-directional nozzle for easier cleaning.

In terms of antonyms, for the physical action, words like 'drip,' 'trickle,' or 'seep' represent the opposite of a 'spout.' These words imply a slow, low-pressure movement of liquid. If a pipe is 'seeping' water, it is a minor problem; if it is 'spouting' water, it is an emergency. For the metaphorical use, antonyms would be 'listen,' 'absorb,' 'whisper,' or 'be concise.' A person who 'listens' is the opposite of someone who 'spouts.' In a debate, a 'concise' argument is much more effective than 'spouting' endless data. Understanding these contrasts helps you place 'spout' on a spectrum of intensity and volume, making your vocabulary more nuanced and expressive. Whether you are describing a leaky faucet or a long-winded colleague, having these alternatives at your disposal allows for greater precision in your communication.

The water didn't just spout; it gushed forth with such power that it knocked over the nearby fence.

He didn't just talk; he would pontificate on every subject from art to astrophysics, much to our annoyance.

The lip of the pitcher was chipped, making it difficult to pour without spilling.

The jet of the steam engine hissed as the train pulled out of the station.

Register Check: 'Spout' is neutral to informal. 'Pontificate' is formal. 'Gush' is descriptive. 'Drip' is the physical opposite.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The word 'spout' has been used to describe the breathing of whales since at least the 16th century, showing how long humans have been observing and naming this marine phenomenon.

发音指南

UK /spaʊt/

US /spaʊt/

Single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

押韵词

Shout About Doubt Trout Out Lout Clout Grout

常见错误

Pronouncing it like 'sport' (avoid the 'r' sound).
Pronouncing it like 'spot' (ensure the 'ou' diphthong is long enough).
Confusing it with 'snout' (the 'p' and 'n' sounds are distinct).
Muffling the final 't' sound.
Over-emphasizing the 'p' so it sounds like two syllables.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Easy to recognize in context, though metaphorical uses require more attention.

写作 4/5

Requires care to avoid using it for gentle actions where 'pour' is better.

口语 3/5

Simple pronunciation, but the phrasal verb 'spout off' is idiomatic.

听力 3/5

Common in both literal and figurative speech.

接下来学什么

前置知识

Pour Water Pipe Talk Fast

接下来学习

Gush Rhetoric Platitude Vortex Nozzle

高级

Pontificate Declaim Cetacean Effluence Orifice

需要掌握的语法

Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

Transitive: 'The kettle spouts steam.' Intransitive: 'Steam spouts from the kettle.'

Phrasal Verbs with 'Off'

'Spout off' follows the pattern of 'talk off' or 'show off,' adding a sense of excess or annoyance.

Compound Nouns

'Waterspout' and 'downspout' are formed by combining a noun/preposition with 'spout'.

Gerunds as Subjects/Objects

'Spouting nonsense is his favorite hobby' uses the gerund form of the verb.

Possessive Adjectives with Nouns

'Its spout' or 'the whale's spout' shows ownership of the physical part.

按水平分级的例句

The tea comes out of the spout.

Le thé sort du bec verseur.

Noun: 'spout' is the subject's part.

The spider went up the waterspout.

L'araignée est montée dans la gouttière.

Noun: 'waterspout' is a compound noun.

Look at the whale's spout!

Regarde le jet de la baleine !

Noun: possessive 'whale's' modifies 'spout'.

The kettle has a long spout.

La bouilloire a un long bec.

Noun: 'spout' is the object of the verb 'has'.

Water spouts from the fountain.

L'eau jaillit de la fontaine.

Verb: present simple 'spouts' for a regular action.

The watering can has a broken spout.

L'arrosoir a un bec cassé.

Noun: 'spout' is modified by the adjective 'broken'.

A spout of water hit the floor.

Un jet d'eau a frappé le sol.

Noun: 'spout' refers to the stream of water itself.

The juice bottle has a small spout.

La bouteille de jus a un petit bec.

Noun: 'spout' is used for a container's opening.

The rain is coming down the spout very fast.

La pluie descend très vite par la gouttière.

Noun: 'spout' refers to the drainage pipe.

The fountain spouts water every ten minutes.

La fontaine jaillit de l'eau toutes les dix minutes.

Verb: 'spouts' describes a repetitive action.

He cleaned the spout of the teapot with a brush.

Il a nettoyé le bec de la théière avec une brosse.

Noun: 'spout' is the object of the preposition 'of'.

Water began to spout from the broken pipe.

L'eau a commencé à jaillir du tuyau cassé.

Verb: 'to spout' is the infinitive after 'began'.

The whale made a big spout in the air.

La baleine a fait un grand jet dans l'air.

Noun: 'spout' is the direct object.

Steam is spouting out of the kettle.

De la vapeur jaillit de la bouilloire.

Verb: present continuous 'is spouting' for an action in progress.

The oil can has a flexible spout.

La burette d'huile a un bec flexible.

Noun: 'spout' is modified by 'flexible'.

The little boy likes to watch the water spout.

Le petit garçon aime regarder le jet d'eau.

Noun: 'spout' is the object of the verb 'watch'.

He spent the whole meeting spouting nonsense about the project.

Il a passé toute la réunion à débiter des bêtises sur le projet.

Verb: 'spouting' is a gerund used to describe a continuous, annoying action.

The politician started to spout statistics that no one could verify.

Le politicien a commencé à débiter des statistiques que personne ne pouvait vérifier.

Verb: 'spout' implies a mechanical or unthinking delivery of facts.

Don't just spout off; listen to what I have to say first.

Ne te contente pas de déblatérer ; écoute d'abord ce que j'ai à dire.

Phrasal Verb: 'spout off' means to talk loudly or angrily without listening.

The whale's spout was a magnificent sight against the sunset.

Le jet de la baleine était un spectacle magnifique contre le coucher du soleil.

Noun: 'spout' is used in a descriptive, slightly more formal way.

The drainpipe was clogged, so water couldn't flow down the spout.

Le tuyau de descente était bouché, donc l'eau ne pouvait pas s'écouler par le bec.

Noun: 'spout' refers to the exit point of the drainage system.

She can spout poetry for hours without stopping.

Elle peut réciter de la poésie pendant des heures sans s'arrêter.

Verb: 'spout' here suggests a continuous and impressive, if overwhelming, flow.

The fountain spouted a jet of water fifty feet into the air.

La fontaine a projeté un jet d'eau à cinquante pieds dans les airs.

Verb: past simple 'spouted' describes a forceful physical action.

I'm tired of him spouting his opinions as if they were facts.

J'en ai assez qu'il débite ses opinions comme si c'étaient des faits.

Verb: 'spouting' carries a negative connotation of arrogance.

The gargoyles on the cathedral serve as decorative water spouts.

Les gargouilles de la cathédrale servent de becs d'eau décoratifs.

Noun: 'spouts' is used in an architectural and functional context.

He was spouting rhetoric about revolution but had no practical plan.

Il débitait une rhétorique sur la révolution mais n'avait aucun plan pratique.

Verb: 'spouting' implies the speech is empty or unoriginal.

The oil well began to spout crude oil, much to the workers' delight.

Le puits de pétrole a commencé à jaillir du pétrole brut, au grand plaisir des travailleurs.

Verb: 'spout' describes a high-pressure industrial event.

If the pump fails, all our hard work will go up the spout.

Si la pompe tombe en panne, tout notre dur labeur sera réduit à néant.

Idiom: 'up the spout' means ruined or lost.

The sailor spotted a waterspout forming on the horizon.

Le marin a repéré une trombe marine se formant à l'horizon.

Noun: 'waterspout' is a specific meteorological term.

Stop spouting clichés and tell me what you really think.

Arrête de débiter des clichés et dis-moi ce que tu penses vraiment.

Verb: 'spouting' is used to criticize unoriginal speech.

The blood spouted from the artery in a rhythmic pulse.

Le sang jaillissait de l'artère en une pulsation rythmique.

Verb: 'spouted' emphasizes the force and rhythm of the flow.

The kettle's spout was designed to prevent any splashing.

Le bec de la bouilloire a été conçu pour éviter toute éclaboussure.

Noun: 'spout' is the focus of a design and engineering description.

The academic was accused of spouting vacuous jargon to mask his lack of research.

L'universitaire a été accusé de débiter un jargon vide pour masquer son manque de recherche.

Verb: 'spouting' is used to dismiss the quality of intellectual discourse.

A geyser of steam spouted from the vent, shaking the ground beneath us.

Un geyser de vapeur a jailli de l'évent, secouant le sol sous nos pieds.

Verb: 'spouted' conveys immense natural pressure and power.

She had a tendency to spout off about injustices she barely understood.

Elle avait tendance à déblatérer sur des injustices qu'elle comprenait à peine.

Phrasal Verb: 'spout off' combined with a critical observation of the speaker's knowledge.

The intricate fountain featured several bronze dolphins that spouted water into a central basin.

La fontaine complexe comportait plusieurs dauphins en bronze qui crachaient de l'eau dans un bassin central.

Verb: 'spouted' is used in a formal, descriptive architectural context.

His plans for the new business went up the spout after the primary investor withdrew.

Ses projets pour la nouvelle entreprise sont tombés à l'eau après le retrait de l'investisseur principal.

Idiom: 'up the spout' used in a professional/financial context.

The whale's spout, a mixture of air and mucus, hung in the cold Arctic air like a ghost.

Le jet de la baleine, un mélange d'air et de mucus, flottait dans l'air froid de l'Arctique comme un fantôme.

Noun: 'spout' is used with scientific detail and literary metaphor.

He didn't just disagree; he would spout a torrent of abuse at anyone who questioned him.

Il ne se contentait pas d'être en désaccord ; il déversait un torrent d'insultes sur quiconque l'interrogeait.

Verb: 'spout' combined with 'torrent' to emphasize the volume of verbal aggression.

The teapot's spout was so elegantly curved that it was considered a masterpiece of ceramic art.

Le bec de la théière était si élégamment incurvé qu'il était considéré comme un chef-d'œuvre de l'art céramique.

Noun: 'spout' is the subject of an aesthetic evaluation.

The demagogue's ability to spout populist platitudes ensured his rise to power despite his lack of policy.

La capacité du démagogue à débiter des lieux communs populistes a assuré son ascension au pouvoir malgré son manque de programme.

Verb: 'spout' is used to analyze political manipulation and superficiality.

The subterranean pressure caused the oil to spout forth with a violence that destroyed the derrick.

La pression souterraine a fait jaillir le pétrole avec une violence qui a détruit le derrick.

Verb: 'spout forth' is a more formal, dramatic variation of the verb.

Critics argued that the film was merely spouting the director's idiosyncratic obsessions rather than telling a story.

Les critiques ont soutenu que le film ne faisait que déverser les obsessions idiosyncrasiques du réalisateur plutôt que de raconter une histoire.

Verb: 'spouting' is used to critique artistic expression as being self-indulgent.

The gargoyle's mouth, once a functional spout, was now choked with centuries of moss and grime.

La bouche de la gargouille, autrefois un bec fonctionnel, était maintenant étouffée par des siècles de mousse et de crasse.

Noun: 'spout' is used in a poetic description of decay and history.

To the uninitiated, the trader seemed to be spouting gibberish, but to his peers, it was the language of profit.

Pour les non-initiés, le trader semblait débiter du charabia, mais pour ses pairs, c'était le langage du profit.

Verb: 'spouting' contrasts external perception with internal meaning.

The volcano's eruption spouted incandescent lava into the night sky, a terrifying display of geothermal might.

L'éruption du volcan a projeté de la lave incandescente dans le ciel nocturne, une manifestation terrifiante de la puissance géothermique.

Verb: 'spouted' is used with high-level descriptive adjectives.

He would spout off his grievances to anyone unfortunate enough to be trapped in the elevator with him.

Il déblatérait ses griefs à quiconque avait le malheur d'être coincé dans l'ascenseur avec lui.

Phrasal Verb: 'spout off' used to describe a specific social nuisance.

The architectural design integrated the downspouts into the facade so seamlessly they were invisible.

La conception architecturale a intégré les tuyaux de descente dans la façade si parfaitement qu'ils étaient invisibles.

Noun: 'downspouts' (a form of spout) used in a technical design context.

常见搭配

Teapot spout

Spout nonsense

Whale spout

Spout statistics

Water spout

Spout off

Spout blood

Gargoyle spout

Spout lies

Spout steam

常用短语

Up the spout

Spout off at the mouth

A waterspout

Drip-free spout

To spout poetry

Down the spout

Spout like a whale

Spout jargon

Long-neck spout

Spout rhetoric

容易混淆的词

spout vs Snout

A snout is the nose of an animal, while a spout is for pouring liquid. They sound similar but are very different.

spout vs Pour

Pouring is a general action, while spouting implies force, pressure, or a specific exit point.

spout vs Spray

A spray consists of many tiny drops, whereas a spout is usually a single, continuous stream.

习语与表达

"Up the spout"

Completely ruined, lost, or failed. In older British slang, it can also mean pregnant.

My promotion is up the spout after that mistake.

Informal/British

"Spout off"

To talk loudly, boastfully, or complainingly about something.

He's always spouting off about how hard he works.

Informal

"Down the spout"

Wasted or lost forever.

All that investment money went down the spout.

Informal

"Spout like a fountain"

To produce a large and continuous amount of something (liquid or words).

She was spouting ideas like a fountain.

Descriptive

"Put a spout on it"

A rare or localized way to tell someone to start talking or to direct their speech.

If you've got something to say, put a spout on it and say it.

Slang/Regional

"From the horse's spout"

A humorous play on 'from the horse's mouth,' implying the information is being 'spouted' unthinkingly.

I heard it straight from the horse's spout.

Humorous

"Blow your spout"

To vent your anger or frustration loudly.

He needed to blow his spout after the stressful day.

Informal

"Spout the party line"

To repeat the official opinions of a group or political party without questioning them.

He's just spouting the party line to keep his job.

Political

"Spout venom"

To speak with extreme anger, hatred, or malice.

She was spouting venom at her ex-husband.

Literary

"A spout of wisdom"

Often used ironically to describe someone giving unwanted or shallow advice.

Thanks for that spout of wisdom, but I'll figure it out myself.

Sarcastic

容易混淆

spout vs Spew

Both involve forceful ejection.

Spew is often messier and more disgusting (like vomit or smoke), while spout is more directed and often involves a pipe or opening.

The volcano spouted lava, but the factory spewed toxic smoke.

spout vs Gush

Both describe a lot of liquid moving fast.

Gush emphasizes the large volume and suddenness, while spout emphasizes the channel or opening it comes through.

Water gushed from the broken dam, but it spouted from the small hole in the pipe.

spout vs Jet

Both refer to a powerful stream.

Jet is more technical and implies extreme speed and pressure, often from a nozzle.

The pressure washer sent out a jet of water, while the fountain had a decorative spout.

spout vs Stream

Both describe moving liquid.

Stream is a general term for a steady flow, while spout implies a more forceful or directed ejection.

A gentle stream flowed through the woods, but water spouted from the hydrant.

spout vs Mouth

Both can be openings for liquid.

The mouth of a bottle is the main opening; a spout is a specific attachment or shaped part for pouring.

He drank from the mouth of the bottle, but poured the tea from the spout.

句型

The [object] has a [adjective] spout.

The teapot has a small spout.

[Liquid] spouts from the [source].

Water spouts from the fountain.

Stop spouting [noun]!

Stop spouting nonsense!

He is always spouting off about [topic].

He is always spouting off about his job.

The [noun] spouted [liquid] into the [destination].

The pump spouted oil into the barrel.

Everything went up the spout when [event].

Everything went up the spout when the rain started.

[Person] was accused of spouting [abstract noun].

The politician was accused of spouting rhetoric.

The [noun] served as a functional spout for [liquid].

The gargoyle served as a functional spout for rainwater.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Common in daily life (kitchen) and social commentary.

常见错误

Using 'spout' for a gentle trickle of water. → The water trickled from the tap.
'Spout' implies force and pressure. If the water is moving slowly, 'trickle' or 'drip' is much more accurate.
Saying 'He spouted a secret to me.' → He whispered a secret to me / He told me a secret.
'Spout' is for continuous, often public or loud talking. Secrets are usually shared quietly and carefully, which is the opposite of spouting.
Confusing 'spout' with 'snout' when talking about animals. → The pig has a pink snout.
A snout is a nose. A spout is for liquid. While they sound similar, using the wrong one can lead to very funny or confusing sentences.
Using 'spout' as a compliment for a good speaker. → The speaker articulated her points very well.
Because 'spout' implies a lack of thought or pomposity, using it as a compliment will actually sound like an insult to a native speaker.
Calling a whole pipe a 'spout.' → The water is leaking from the pipe.
A 'spout' is specifically the end part where liquid comes out. The long tube itself is a 'pipe' or 'tube.' Only use 'spout' for the exit point.

小贴士

Precision in Pouring

Use 'spout' when describing the physical part of a container. It helps the reader visualize the exact point where the liquid exits, which is more specific than just saying 'the top' or 'the opening.'

Handle with Care

Be careful when telling someone they are 'spouting' something. It is a critical word and might offend them. Use it in your head or in descriptive writing rather than directly to a friend unless you are joking.

Expand Your Synonyms

If you find yourself using 'spout' too much, try 'gush' for more volume, 'jet' for more speed, or 'pontificate' for more pomposity. This will make your writing more varied and professional.

Verb Agreement

Remember that 'spout' is a regular verb. The past tense is 'spouted' and the present participle is 'spouting.' It follows all the standard rules for English verbs.

British Slang

If you are in the UK, 'up the spout' is a fun idiom to use when things go wrong. It sounds very native and adds a bit of character to your speech.

Whale Watching

When you see a whale, the first thing you usually see is the 'spout.' Using this word correctly will help you communicate effectively with other nature lovers or guides.

Gargoyles and Gutters

In historical contexts, 'spout' is the correct term for the water-directing parts of old buildings. It connects the functional with the artistic.

Waterspout Warning

If you hear 'waterspout' on a weather report while at the beach, take it seriously. It's not a harmless fountain; it's a dangerous weather event.

The Drip-Free Spout

When buying a kettle or oil bottle, look for the phrase 'drip-free spout.' It's a common marketing term that means the product is well-designed.

Mechanical Speech

Think of a person 'spouting' as a machine. They aren't thinking; they are just letting the words flow out. This mental image helps you remember the negative connotation.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a **S**tream of water **P**ouring **OUT** of a pipe. **S-P-OUT**.

视觉联想

Imagine a teapot with a very long, curved neck (the spout) and a whale jumping out of the ocean with a spray of water (the spout) coming from its head.

Word Web

Teapot Whale Gutter Nonsense Fountain Steam Pour Rhetoric

挑战

Try to use 'spout' as a noun and a verb in the same sentence. Example: 'The broken spout began to spout water all over the kitchen floor.'

词源

Derived from the Middle English word 'spouten,' which appeared in the 14th century. It is related to the Middle Dutch word 'spuiten' and the Middle Low German word 'spūten,' both meaning to flow or gush out.

原始含义： To eject liquid in a jet or stream.

Germanic

文化背景

Be careful when using 'spout' to describe someone's speech, as it is inherently critical and can be seen as insulting.

Commonly used in both domestic (kitchen) and critical (social) contexts.

The nursery rhyme 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider' (climbed up the waterspout). Herman Melville's 'Moby-Dick' (frequent references to whale spouts). The song 'I'm a Little Teapot' (here is my handle, here is my spout).

在生活中练习

真实语境

Kitchen and Cooking

Teapot spout
Drip-free spout
Clean the spout
Pour from the spout

Nature and Animals

Whale spout
Water spouting from a rock
Geyser spout
Observe the spout

Home Maintenance

Gutter downspout
Clogged spout
Fix the rain spout
Water spout drainage

Social Criticism

Spouting nonsense
Spouting off
Spouting statistics
Spouting lies

Weather and Disasters

Waterspout on the ocean
Pipe spouting water
Steam spouting from a vent
Oil spout eruption

对话开场白

"Have you ever seen a whale's spout in person during a boat trip?"

"Why do you think some people feel the need to spout off about their achievements?"

"Is it better to have a teapot with a long spout or a short one for pouring?"

"What would you do if a pipe in your house started to spout water suddenly?"

"How do you react when someone starts spouting facts that you know are wrong?"

日记主题

Describe a time when you saw someone spouting nonsense and how you handled the situation.

Write about a beautiful fountain you have seen and describe how the water spouts from it.

Reflect on the idiom 'up the spout.' Has anything in your life ever gone 'up the spout' unexpectedly?

Imagine you are a whale. Describe the feeling of surfacing and releasing a massive spout of air.

Discuss the design of everyday objects. Why is the shape of a spout so important for a kettle?

常见问题

10 个问题

Generally, no. 'Spout' almost always has a negative connotation when used for speech, suggesting the person is talking too much, being pompous, or not thinking. If someone is speaking well, use 'articulate' or 'express.'

Yes, a waterspout is a meteorological phenomenon. It is essentially a tornado that forms over a body of water. It is very dangerous for boats and should not be confused with a simple garden spout.

It has two main meanings: 1) Something has gone wrong or is ruined (e.g., 'Our plans are up the spout'). 2) An old-fashioned, informal way to say someone is pregnant. Context will tell you which one is meant.

It is both! As a noun, it's the part of a container (like a teapot). As a verb, it describes the action of liquid shooting out or a person talking incessantly.

A spout is usually a fixed part of a container or building (like a teapot neck or a gutter pipe). A nozzle is often an adjustable attachment, like the end of a garden hose or a spray bottle.

Actually, what you see is mostly warm air and mucus condensing in the cooler sea air, along with some water from the top of the blowhole. However, everyone calls it a 'spout' because it looks like a fountain.

They are related. 'Spouting off' specifically refers to talking boastfully or loudly, while 'showing off' can involve actions as well as words. You can spout off about your new car without actually showing it to anyone.

Yes, in medical or dramatic contexts, you might say blood 'spouted' from an artery. This emphasizes the high pressure and forceful nature of the bleeding.

Yes, it is a B1 level word, meaning it is very common in everyday English, especially in domestic, nature, and social contexts.

A downspout is the vertical pipe that carries rainwater from the gutters of a roof down to the ground or a drain. It is a specific type of spout used in construction.