What does spouting mean?
Spouting is the present participle of spout, and it describes the forceful emission of a liquid, steam, smoke, or similar substance. A fountain spouting water is the most literal and neutral use, while a kettle, pipe, or damaged appliance may spout its contents. The word also has figurative meanings: a person may be described as spouting nonsense, opinions, slogans, or propaganda when speaking with excessive force or repetition. These figurative uses are often mildly critical, suggesting that the speech is noisy, unconsidered, or intended to promote a viewpoint rather than exchange ideas. Spouting is common in both British and American English and can function as a gerund noun, as in “the constant spouting of complaints.”
To emit liquid, steam, smoke, or another substance in a forceful stream or jet; figuratively, to speak continuously or insistently.
"The pipe began spouting water beneath the sink."
The figurative use often implies excessive, repetitive, or forceful speech.
The act of emitting a stream or jet, especially water; figuratively, continuous or forceful speech.
"The villagers complained about the spouting of polluted water from the pipe."
This gerund-noun use is less common than the participial use and is often used in figurative descriptions of repeated or forceful speech.
A spouting fountain and a person who cannot stop making forceful points share the same word: both are sending something out with force.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spouting come from?
Spouting derives from the verb spout, a word recorded in English since the medieval period and related to Germanic words concerning a jet or channel for liquid. The verb developed from the idea of directing or sending out a stream, while the present-participle form spouting was formed within English according to the regular -ing pattern.
Related word forms
How spouting is actually used
The literal sense is neutral to descriptive. The figurative sense often carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is talking loudly, excessively, or insensitively.
Easily confused with spouting
Spouting describes the action of sending out liquid or words, whereas a spout is an opening or vessel from which something flows.
Spewing commonly suggests violently or forcefully expelling contents, while spouting can also describe a steady or fountain-like stream.