pool
pool
Pronunciation
puːl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
/puːl/
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive
/uː/: Close back rounded vowel (long 'oo' sound)
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: pool (e.g., "The swimming pool is open.")
Plural: pools (e.g., "There are several pools in the resort.")
As a Verb:
Base form (infinitive): pool (e.g., "Let's pool our resources.")
Third-person singular present: pools (e.g., "He pools his money with his friends.")
Present participle: pooling (e.g., "They are pooling their efforts.")
Past tense: pooled (e.g., "We pooled our money for the gift.")
Past participle: pooled (e.g., "Their resources have been pooled.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A body of still water:
Definition: A small, usually natural, collection of standing water, often found on the ground after rain, or a small, artificially constructed basin designed to hold water for swimming, bathing, or other recreational activities.
Synonyms: pond, puddle, tarn, basin, lido (for swimming pool)
Antonyms: (Direct antonyms are difficult, as it describes a type of water body. One might consider "river" or "ocean" as larger, moving bodies of water, but not true antonyms.)
A shared collection or reserve:
Definition: A common fund, supply, or reserve of resources, information, or people, gathered together for a shared purpose or collective benefit.
Synonyms: fund, reserve, collection, reservoir, stock, stash, kitty (informal)
Antonyms: individual share, private holding, separate account
A game played on a billiard table:
Definition: A game of billiards played with a cue stick, cue ball, and usually 15 numbered object balls, where players attempt to pocket the object balls according to specific rules, often distinguished from snooker or carom billiards.
Synonyms: billiards (broad term), pocket billiards, eight-ball, nine-ball (specific variations)
Antonyms: (Not applicable, as it's a specific game)
Verb
To combine resources for a common purpose:
Definition: To put together or combine resources, funds, efforts, or information with others, so that they can be used or managed collectively for a shared goal.
Synonyms: combine, merge, share, contribute, consolidate, accumulate, collectivize
Antonyms: separate, divide, disperse, withhold, privatize
To form a puddle or collection of liquid:
Definition: (Of a liquid) to collect or accumulate in a still body or a small depression, often due to drainage or a leak.
Synonyms: collect, accumulate, gather, puddle, settle
Antonyms: drain, disperse, evaporate, absorb
Adjective
Relating to a pool (game):
Definition: Pertaining to or associated with the game of pool (billiards).
Example Usage: "a pool cue," "a pool hall"
Synonyms: billiard
Antonyms: (Not applicable as it's a descriptive adjective for a specific game)
Examples of Use
Books:
"They found a small, clear pool in the forest, its surface reflecting the towering trees like a mirror." (From a work of fiction, illustrating "pool" as a body of water)
"The two companies decided to pool their research and development resources to accelerate innovation in renewable energy." (From a business strategy textbook, demonstrating "pool" as a verb meaning to combine resources)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved plans for a new public swimming pool downtown, aiming to open by summer." (The Daily Gazette, showing "pool" as a recreational basin)
"Experts are calling for a greater pool of diverse candidates in leadership roles across all sectors." (The Guardian, using "pool" to mean a collection of people or resources)
Online Publications:
"How to clean your backyard swimming pool for sparkling water all season." (From a home improvement website, referring to a swimming pool)
"Investors will pool their capital to fund the startup, hoping for a significant return on investment." (Forbes.com, illustrating "pool" as a verb for combining funds)
"The data pool collected from millions of users provides valuable insights into consumer behavior." (TechCrunch.com, showcasing "pool" as a collection of data)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "We need to pool our money if we want to buy that old farmhouse." (Heard in a drama film, representing "pool" as a verb for combining money)
Song Lyrics: "Underneath the moonlight, by the silver pool, we danced the night away." (From a popular song, portraying "pool" as a natural body of water)
Video Game Description: "Collect power-ups to expand your pool of available spells and abilities." (Descriptive text within a fantasy role-playing game, using "pool" to mean a reserve or collection)
Podcast Discussion: "The host discussed the limited talent pool for niche technology roles in the current job market." (From a career advice podcast, May 2024, referring to a group of potential candidates)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's meet by the pool at 3 PM for a swim." (Common casual conversation, referring to a swimming pool)
"They decided to pool their knowledge to solve the complex riddle." (A friend explaining a collaborative effort, using "pool" as a verb for combining information)
"He's a fantastic pool player; you should see him run the table." (Someone describing a person's skill at the game of pool)
10 Quotes Using Pool
"This life is like a swimming pool. You dive into the water, but you can't see how deep it is." (Dennis Rodman)
"Sex at age 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a rope." (George Burns)
"No phone. No pool. No pets. No cigarettes. Ultimate freedom... No longer to be poisoned by civilization, he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become Lost in the Wild." (Christopher McCandless, from Into the Wild)
"The conscious mind may be compared to a fountain playing in the sun and falling back into the great subterranean pool of subconscious from which it rises." (Sigmund Freud)
"Nine-tenths of tactics are certain, and taught in books: but the irrational tenth is like the kingfisher flashing across the pool, and that is the test of generals." (T.E. Lawrence)
"Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean." (Christopher Reeve)
"Chance is always powerful. Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish." (Ovid)
"In a high-IQ job pool, soft skills like discipline, drive and empathy mark those who emerge as outstanding." (Daniel Goleman)
"The problem with the gene pool is that there's no lifeguard." (David Gerrold)
"Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried than before–more sorry, more aware of my ingratitude, gentler." (Charles Dickens, from Great Expectations, referencing a pool of tears implicitly)
Etymology
The word "pool" has a fascinating etymology, with two main origins depending on which "pool" you're talking about!
"Pool" as in a body of water (like a swimming pool or a puddle):
This "pool" comes from the Old English word "pōl," which directly meant "a small body of water" or "a pond." It's believed to have roots in a much older Germanic word. The first known use of "pōl" in this sense dates back to before the 12th century, simply referring to a natural collection of still water. Over time, its meaning expanded to include artificial basins for swimming or other uses.
"Pool" as in a shared collection (like a car pool or a pool of money), or the game:
This "pool" has a different origin, coming from the French word "poule," which literally means "hen." You might be thinking, "What does a hen have to do with shared money or a game?" Well, in the 17th century, "poule" was used in French gambling to refer to the collective stakes or the money that all players contributed to a game. This idea of a shared pot or collection then transferred into English.
So, when you talk about "pooling" resources, you're using a meaning that evolved from that French gambling term, referring to combining contributions. Similarly, the game of "pool" (billiards) gets its name from this same origin, as it involves a collective stake or a shared table for play.
In essence, while they sound and are spelled the same, the "pool" you swim in and the "pool" of resources you share have distinct linguistic family trees!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Pool
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "pool":
In the gene pool: Referring to the total collection of genes within a population, often used when discussing genetics or inherited traits.
A talent pool: A group of people with specific skills or qualifications who are available for employment or selection.
To pool resources: To combine money, effort, or other assets for a common purpose.
To pool information/knowledge: To share information or knowledge with others.
The dating pool: The total number of available people from whom one might choose a romantic partner.
The betting pool: A collective sum of money contributed by a group of people, with winnings distributed among those who made correct predictions.
To make a splash (in the pool): To attract a lot of attention or create a significant impact (often used metaphorically, especially in entertainment or business).
To be in the deep end of the pool: To be in a difficult or challenging situation that requires significant skill or effort.
To dive into the pool: To begin something enthusiastically or without hesitation.
A carpool: An arrangement where several people travel together in one car, usually to save money or resources.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of pool from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
