Stuff
/stʌf/
Definitions
4 meaningsA general term for things, often unspecified or miscellaneous items.
/stʌf/
Unspecified material or objects
I have a lot of stuff to do today.
💡 Simply: When you don't want to list everything, you can use 'stuff' to mean different things. Like, if you're going on a trip, you can say, 'I need to pack my stuff!'
👶 For kids: Things! Like toys, clothes, or food. Whatever you have!
More Examples
Could you move your stuff out of the way?
The store sells all sorts of stuff.
How It's Used
"I need to buy some stuff for the party."
"The stuff in the attic is ancient."
To fill something completely or to force something into a confined space.
/stʌf/
To fill or pack something tightly
She stuffed the cushions with new filling.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are trying to put a lot of clothes into a small bag. You are stuffing it!
👶 For kids: To push things in to make them fit!
More Examples
We stuffed our bags with snacks for the trip.
The butcher stuffed the sausage casings.
How It's Used
"He stuffed the turkey with herbs."
"I'm trying to stuff all my clothes into the suitcase."
To eat large amounts of food quickly and greedily.
/stʌf/
To eat quickly or greedily
The children stuffed themselves with candy.
💡 Simply: Eating a lot of food, fast! When you eat a big meal really quickly, that is stuffing yourself.
👶 For kids: Eating a whole lot, really fast!
More Examples
He stuffed his face with pizza.
They stuffed themselves with appetizers before dinner.
How It's Used
"He stuffed himself with cake."
To block or obstruct something with a specific material.
/stʌf/
To obstruct or block something
The paper stuffed the drain.
💡 Simply: To block something like a drain with something else.
👶 For kids: To block something up with something like paper or cloths.
More Examples
The cat stuffed the hole with leaves.
The leaves stuffed the gutters.
How It's Used
"The paper stuffed the drain."
Synonyms
Belongings
Goods
Items
Materials
Cram
Fill
Load
Pack
Gorge
Block
Obstruct
Idioms & expressions
the real stuff
Something authentic or of high quality.
"This is the real stuff; it's a vintage guitar."
enough is enough
Used to indicate that one has reached the limit of what one will tolerate; the point at which one will no longer endure something.
"The constant interruptions were becoming intolerable. Enough is enough!"
From Old English *stuf* (related to *stiff*), meaning 'material, building material, fabric'. Evolved to refer to various things and belongings.
Used since Old English, evolving from a general term for material to encompass various objects and actions.
Memory tip
Think of a box filled with various *things* you might call 'stuff'.