pout

1 of 3

verb

pouted; pouting; pouts

intransitive verb

1
a
: to show displeasure by thrusting out the lips or wearing a sullen expression
a pouting child
Sure, you have sports figures misbehaving today. John McEnroe pouts and snarls and curses at tennis judges twice his age, on television …Roy Blount Jr.
b
: to push out or purse the lips in a sexually suggestive way
a pouting model
… appears in adverts surrounded by gorgeous, pouting blondes.The Economist
c
: to be moodily silent : sulk
If they invited her out, she declined the invitation. When they went out, she would be pouting when they came home.Susan Sheehan
2

transitive verb

: to cause to protrude
pouted her lips

pout

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a protrusion of the lips expressive of displeasure
2
pouts plural : a fit of pique

pout

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural pout or pouts
: any of several large-headed fishes (such as a bullhead or eelpout)

Examples of pout in a Sentence

Verb She pouted her lips and stared at him angrily. The boy didn't want to leave—he stomped his feet and pouted. The model pouted for the cameras. Her lips pouted, and she began to cry. Noun (1) that storekeeper's face seems to be in a permanent pout she stayed in the pouts all day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
There is also a chance a trade won’t happen and Butler will pout through the rest of this season, then opt out and leave in free agency this summer with Miami getting nothing for him. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025 Among them were several photos of herself jokingly pouting alongside her daughters North, 11, and Chicago, 6, in a photo booth. Latoya Gayle, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
Swift pouts her lips and looks upwards while everyone else smiles and looks at the camera. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 The lip treatment even has its own botanical alternative of hyaluronic acid, which not only provides hydration but also plumps your pout for a fuller appearance. Nicol Natale, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pout 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

Noun (2)

probably from Middle English *poute, a fish with a large head, from Old English -pūte; akin to Middle English pouten to pout

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pout was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pout

Cite this Entry

“Pout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pout. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

pout

1 of 2 verb
1
: to show displeasure by pushing out the lips
2

pout

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of pouting
2
plural : a state of bad humor

More from Merriam-Webster on pout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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