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pour over

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To let liquid flow over the top of something; don't mix it up with 'pore over,' which means to read something very carefully.

Literal meaning: Directing liquid so that it flows across the top of an object — fully transparent and non-idiomatic.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To direct a liquid so that it flows over the surface of something.

"Pour the caramel sauce over the warm pudding just before serving."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

(Coffee brewing) A manual method where hot water is slowly poured over coffee grounds in a filter.

"He spent five minutes making a pour-over coffee, measuring the water temperature precisely."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

As a phrasal verb, 'pour over' is literal — it means to pour liquid across or onto something (e.g., pour sauce over pasta). It is very frequently confused in writing with 'pore over' (to study), which is a separate verb. Learners should note that 'pore over a book' is always 'pore,' never 'pour.' 'Pour over' coffee (a brewing method) is a well-known culinary compound noun in American English.

Commonly used with

sauce gravy dressing syrup hot water coffee grounds

Forms

Base
pour over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pours over
he/she/it
Past simple
poured over
yesterday
Past participle
poured over
have + pp
-ing form
pouring over
continuous

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Synonyms

drizzle over drench ladle over spoon over douse

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