Definition of 'pore'

Word Frequency

pore

(pɔːʳ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense pores , present participle poring , past tense, past participle pored

1. countable noun [usually plural]

Your pores are the tiny holes in your skin.

The size of your pores is determined by the amount of oil they produce.

2. countable noun [usually plural]

The pores of a plant are the tiny holes on its surface.

A plant's lungs are the microscopic pores in its leaves.

Synonyms: opening, hole, outlet, orifice More Synonyms of pore

3. verb

If you pore over or through information, you look at it and study it very carefully.

We spent hours poring over travel brochures. [V + over/through]

It will take several more months to pore through the volumes of documents. [Vover/through n]

Synonyms: study, read, examine, go over More Synonyms of pore

See every pore

More Synonyms of pore

pore in British English 1

(pɔː )

verb (intransitive)

1. (foll by over)

to make a close intent examination or study (of a book, map, etc)

I pored over the documents for several hours

2. (foll by over, on, or upon)

to think deeply (about)

she pored on the question of their future

3. (foll by over, on, or upon) rare

to look earnestly or intently (at); gaze fixedly (upon)

▶ USAGE See note at pour

Word origin

C13 pouren; perhaps related to peer2

Word Frequency

pore in British English 2

(pɔː )

noun

1. anatomy, zoology

any small opening in the skin or outer surface of an animal

2. botany

any small aperture, esp that of a stoma through which water vapour and gases pass

any other small hole, such as a space in a rock, soil, etc

Word origin

C14: from Late Latin porus, from Greek poros passage, pore

Word Frequency

pore in American English 1

(pɔr ; poʊr )

noun

1. Obsolete

a passage; channel

a tiny opening, usually microscopic, as in plant leaves or skin, through which fluids may be absorbed or discharged

a similar opening in rock or other substances

Word origin

ME < L porus < Gr poros < IE *poros, passage < base *per-, to bring through > fare

Word Frequency

pore in American English 2

(pɔr ; poʊr )

verb intransitiveWord forms: pored or ˈporing

1. Rare

to gaze intently

to read or study carefully

with over

to pore over a book

to think deeply and thoroughly; ponder

with over

Word origin

ME poren < ?

Example sentences including
pore

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The expats were also poring over the details of an alleged scam defrauding the city's wealthiest individuals.At heart, it is a family love story, and much time is spent poring over old pictures. Pyongyang watchers will pore over pictures of the funeral for clues as to what is going on. Officers pored over maps beside a cabinet stacked with china.Few voters will be expected to pore over this detail in bed.Our books have been pored over by consultants and there is no overspend or huge inefficiency.This will close your pores and stop them from blocking.But her adoration goes beyond poring over pictures in magazines and playing their albums.He is also reluctant to have rivals poring over his books.These will help to close unsightly large pores.