Pour vs. Rain: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Pour" refers to the action of flowing rapidly in a steady stream, while "rain" refers to water falling from clouds as condensed droplets.
Key Differences
"Pour" and "rain" are both verbs associated with the movement of liquid, but they are used in different contexts and carry distinct nuances. The word "pour" pertains to the act of making a liquid flow from a container or from one place to another. For instance, one can pour milk into a cup or pour concrete to lay a foundation. This term can be applied to a variety of liquids, suggesting a controlled or deliberate flow. On the other hand, "rain" specifically denotes the natural phenomenon of water falling from clouds in the form of droplets.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
While "pour" is a versatile verb that can be utilized in numerous situations involving the flow of liquid, "rain" remains rooted in meteorological contexts. It is not limited to just water; other forms, such as acid rain, sleet, or drizzle, further define the kind of precipitation. When one says, "It's pouring outside," they're typically employing "pour" as a colloquialism to indicate that it's raining heavily.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
The flexibility of "pour" is evident in its metaphorical uses as well. For instance, emotions can pour out, or people can pour into a venue, suggesting an abundance or intense flow. "Rain," while primarily used to describe weather conditions, can also be used metaphorically, as in "raining praise" or "raining criticism," suggesting a plentiful amount of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
In sum, while both "pour" and "rain" involve the movement or abundance of a substance, typically liquid, "pour" is a more general term applicable to various situations, whereas "rain" is more specific to atmospheric conditions and the fall of water from the sky.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
Flow of liquid from a container or source.
Water droplets falling from the sky.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
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Flexibility
Can refer to liquids, emotions, or crowds.
Primarily water, but can have variations like drizzle.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Metaphorical Use
Yes, e.g., "pour one's heart out."
Yes, e.g., "raining praise."
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Dependency
Independent of weather conditions.
Dependent on atmospheric conditions.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Pour and Rain Definitions
Pour
Flow rapidly in a steady stream.
She watched the water pour from the faucet.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
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Rain
A large or overwhelming quantity of things that fall or descend.
It's been raining offers since she became famous.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Pour
Cause a substance to flow over a surface.
They poured concrete to create a pathway.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Pour
To cause (a liquid or granular solid) to stream or flow, as from a container
Poured tea from the pot into the cup.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
To bestow in an abundant or overwhelming manner.
Awards rained down on the young director.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
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Pour
To empty (a container) of a liquid or granular solid
Poured a bucket of sand on the ground.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To send forth, produce, express, or utter copiously, as if in a stream or flood
Poured money into the project.
Poured out my inner thoughts.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To pass or proceed in large numbers or quantity
Students poured into the auditorium.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
A heavy or abundant fall
A rain of fluffy cottonwood seeds.
A rain of insults.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To serve a beverage, such as tea or coffee, to a gathering
We need someone to pour.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
(transitive) To cause (liquid, or liquid-like substance) to flow in a stream, either out of a container or into it.
Pour water from a jug
Pour wine into a decanter
To pour oil onto chips
To pour out sand or dust.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To send out as in a stream or a flood; to cause (an emotion) to come out; to cause to escape.
My teacher poured scorn on my attempts at writing.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
(transitive) To send forth from, as in a stream; to discharge uninterruptedly.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
(intransitive) To flow, pass or issue in a stream; to fall continuously and abundantly.
The rain poured down.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
Condensed water falling from a cloud.
We've been having a lot of rain lately.
The rains came late that year.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
(figuratively) Any matter moving or falling, usually through air, and especially if liquid or otherwise figuratively identifiable with raindrops.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
(intransitive) Of a beverage, to be on tap or otherwise available for serving to customers.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
(figuratively) An instance of particles or larger pieces of matter moving or falling through air.
A rain of mortar fire fell on our trenches.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
(intransitive) To move in a throng, as a crowd.
The people poured out of the theater.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
(impersonal) To have rain fall from the sky.
Judging by the black cloud, it will rain later today.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
The act of pouring.
The bartender's inexpert pour left me with a pint of beer that was half foam.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
(intransitive) To fall as or like rain.
Tears rained from her eyes.
Leaves rained from the tree.
Bombs rained from the sky.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
(transitive) To issue (something) in large quantities.
The boxer rained punches on his opponent's head.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
Water falling in drops from the clouds; the descent of water from the clouds in drops.
Rain is water by the heat of the sun divided into very small parts ascending in the air, till, encountering the cold, it be condensed into clouds, and descends in drops.
Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
To fall in drops from the clouds, as water; - used mostly with it for a nominative; as, it rains.
The rain it raineth every day.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To cause to flow in a stream, as a liquid or anything flowing like a liquid, either out of a vessel or into it; as, to pour water from a pail; to pour wine into a decanter; to pour oil upon the waters; to pour out sand or dust.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
To fall or drop like water from the clouds; as, tears rained from their eyes.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To send forth as in a stream or a flood; to emit; to let escape freely or wholly.
I . . . have poured out my soul before the Lord.
Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee.
London doth pour out her citizens !
Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forthWith such a full and unwithdrawing hand ?
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
To pour or shower down from above, like rain from the clouds.
Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To send forth from, as in a stream; to discharge uninterruptedly.
Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat ?
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
To bestow in a profuse or abundant manner; as, to rain favors upon a person.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
To flow, pass, or issue in a stream, or as a stream; to fall continuously and abundantly; as, the rain pours; the people poured out of the theater.
In the rude throng pour on with furious pace.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Rain
Anything happening rapidly or in quick successive;
A rain of bullets
A pelting of insults
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
Move in large numbers;
People were pouring out of the theater
Beggars pullulated in the plaza
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
Supply in large amounts or quantities;
We poured money into the education of our children
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 08, 2022
Pour
Express oneself in an effusive manner.
He began to pour out his feelings to her.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
FAQs
Can it "rain" objects other than water?
Metaphorically, yes, like "raining cats and dogs" or "raining praise."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can "pour" refer to any liquid?
Yes, "pour" can refer to the flow of any liquid, such as water, juice, or oil.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can "pour" suggest abundance?
Yes, like when saying news "poured in," suggesting a lot of it.
Sara Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Is rain always in the form of water?
While typically water, rain can have variations like acid rain or frozen forms like sleet.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can you "pour" a solid substance?
In some contexts, yes, like "pouring sand" or "pouring cereal."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Does "pour" always imply a rapid flow?
Often, but not always. Context determines the flow's intensity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can "pour" be used metaphorically?
Yes, for instance, emotions can "pour out" or people can "pour into" a venue.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is "pouring" a synonym for heavy rain?
Colloquially, yes. Saying "it's pouring" typically means it's raining heavily.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
What causes rain to occur?
The condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere, which then becomes heavy and falls.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
Is drizzle a form of rain?
Yes, drizzle refers to light rain with very small, fine droplets.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can "pour" refer to the movement of people?
Yes, as in "People poured into the concert hall."
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
Is snow a form of rain?
Both are precipitation, but snow is frozen, while rain is liquid.
Janet White
Oct 05, 2023
How is "rain" formed?
Rain forms when condensed water vapor in the atmosphere falls due to gravity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
What's another word for light rain?
"Drizzle" or "sprinkle" can denote light rain.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
Is "rain" always related to weather?
Typically, but metaphorical uses like "raining praise" are exceptions.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
What's the action of pouring wine called?
It's often referred to as "pouring" wine, but can also be "decanting" in certain contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Can "rain" have variations in intensity?
Yes, from light drizzles to heavy downpours or storms.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 05, 2023
Is "pouring" always intentional?
Not necessarily. A jug might accidentally pour out if tipped over.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 05, 2023
What's the act of pouring a drink called?
It's simply referred to as "pouring" a drink.
Harlon Moss
Oct 05, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
