fount

UK: /ˈfaʊnt/ US: /faʊnt/ ,(fount; Print Brit.fount, font)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fount¹ /faʊnt/   n. [countable]

1. a spring of water;
   fountain.
2. a source:
   a fount of ideas.

See font¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fount¹  (fount), n. 

1. a spring of water;
   fountain.
2. a source or origin:
   a fount of inspiration to his congregation.

• short for fountain 1585–95

fount²  (fount, font), n. [Print. Brit.]

1. font².

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fount / faʊnt/ noun

1. a spring or fountain
2. source or origin

Etymology: 16th Century: back formation from fountain

fount / faʊnt fɒnt/ noun

1. another word for font2

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French fonte a founding, casting, from Vulgar Latin funditus (unattested) a casting, from Latin fundere to melt; see found³

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

font¹ /fɑnt/   n. [countable]

1. Religion a receptacle for the water used in baptism.
2. Religion a receptacle for holy water.
3. someone or something providing useful information:
   The book is a font of useful tips.

font² /fɑnt/   n. [countable]

1. Printing a complete assortment of printing type of one style and size:
   a gothic font.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

font¹  (font), n. 

1. Religion a receptacle, usually of stone, as in a baptistery or church, containing the water used in baptism.
2. Religion a receptacle for holy water;
   stoup.
3. a productive source:
   The book is a font of useful tips for travelers.
4. the reservoir for oil in a lamp.
5. [Archaic.] a fountain.

• Latin font- (stem of fōns) baptismal font, spring, fountain
• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English font, fant

font²  (font), n. [Print.]

1. Printing a complete assortment of type of one style and size.

Also,[Brit.,] fount. 

• Vulgar Latin *funditus a pouring, molding, casting, verbal noun, nominal from Latin fundere to pour. See found³
• Middle French fonte
• 1570–80