When to Use Pored vs Poured

Pored vs poured doesn’t have to be a confusing question. This guide will make it clear which one to use at the right time.

The words pore and pour are homophones, which means they have the same sound but different spellings and different meanings. Because both of these words have a verb form, they are commonly confused in the English language. So if someone made a cup of coffee for you, would you say that they pored or poured it?

To take a closer look at the difference between pored vs poured, you must first understand the root words and how they differ. This guide will help you make the differentiation.

Is It Pored Vs Poured – How To Tell

Both pored and poured or correct spellings of common English words. They are also easily confused words because they sound the same and have similar spellings.

Here is a breakdown of these words, their roots, and their meanings to help you make the right choice. Check out our won’t vs. wont and reign vs. rein guides.

The Meaning of Pored

The word pored comes from the verb pore. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, this word means “to gaze intently” or “to read or study attentively.” The word pored is almost always paired with the word over.

Here are some example sentences:

• She pored over her books in preparation for her exam.
• Poring over the will, the attorney found the part that discussed the ownership of the home.
• To pore over the details will make the finished product look great.

The word pore also has a noun meaning, which is “a small opening, especially in an animal or plant.” However, this use is not lined to poured, as poured is a verb as well. You might also be interested in our since vs. for post.

Synonyms for Pore

Some synonyms for the verb form of the word pore include:

• Consider
• Study
• Contemplate
• Deliberate
• Mull over
• Ponder

Etymology of Pore

The word pored comes from Middle English and Middle French. It has its roots in the Latin word porus and the Greek word poros. 

Definition of Poured

If pored means to study something, then what does poured mean? When used as a transitive verb pour means “to cause to flow in a stream” or “to give full expression to.” It can also work as an intransitive verb meaning “to move with a continuous flow” or “to rain hard.”

Here are some example sentences:

• The rain poured down in buckets as we prepared for the soccer game.
• Please don’t allow the hot water to pour over the side of the pan.
• Her feelings poured out as she finally felt comfortable with the counselor.

Synonyms for Pour

Some words that mean the same thing as pour include:

• Stream
• Flow
• Run
• Rush
• Spew
• Rain
• Heap
• Lavish

Etymology for Pour

The word pour comes from Middle English. It showed up in the 1300s, but its roots are uncertain.

How to Remember the Difference

Because pored and poured are two different words with very different meanings, knowing how to tell the difference is challenging. One simple misplaced “u” makes the word completely different.

One trick that can help you remember the difference is to pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea. since you made the drink for “you”, the word needs a “u.”

A Final Word on Pored vs Poured

Pored vs poured is sometimes confusing in English grammar. The two words both have verb uses, and they have very different meanings.

Pored means to have studied something intently or to have gazed at something intently. Poured means to have caused something to flow in a stream or to have given full expression to something.

Learn to use these two words correctly, and you will have a better grasp of common English vocab. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in our OK vs. okay and macaron vs. macaroon explainers.

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