Cool MatePour vs Spilling
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pour
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Spilling
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Pour | Spilling | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pɔː(r)/","/pɔːz/","/pɔːd/","/ˈpɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pɔːr/","/pɔːrz/","/pɔːrd/","/ˈpɔːrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈspɪlɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈspɪlɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To make a liquid flow from one container to another. | To let liquid flow out of a container accidentally. |
| Example | I will pour the milk into the bowl. | She was so clumsy that she ended up spilling her coffee all over the table. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | carefully, quickly, gradually, from, into, on, carefully, quickly, gradually, from, into, on | spill milk, spill coffee, spill beans, spill blood, spill tea |
| Antonyms | fill, empty | contain, hold, retain |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'pour' with 'pore' or 'poor'., Using 'pour' as a noun instead of a verb., Saying 'pouring water into the cup' instead of 'pouring the cup with water'. | Confused with 'spelled' when referring to letters., Using 'spill' with a non-liquid object., Saying 'spill the water' instead of 'spill water'. |
| Usage notes | Used when transferring liquids. Common in cooking, serving drinks, or filling containers. Avoid in formal writing. | Used when liquid is accidentally overflown from a container. Commonly used in casual conversation. Avoid using in formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Pour vs Spilling
What's the difference between Pour and Spilling?
Pour: To make a liquid flow from one container to another. Spilling: To let liquid flow out of a container accidentally.
Can you show an example of each?
Pour: I will pour the milk into the bowl. Spilling: She was so clumsy that she ended up spilling her coffee all over the table.
Can I use Pour and Spilling interchangeably?
Not always. Pour and Spilling are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.