Stuffing
/ˈstʌfɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsA mixture of ingredients, usually bread, vegetables, and seasonings, used to fill the cavity of poultry or other foods before cooking.
/ˈstʌfɪŋ/
Food placed inside another food, typically poultry or vegetables, before cooking.
The aroma of the stuffing filled the kitchen.
💡 Simply: Stuffing is like the yummy bread and vegetable mix you put inside a turkey or chicken to make it even tastier!
👶 For kids: It's the yummy food that goes inside a turkey or chicken to make it super delicious!
More Examples
Grandma's secret stuffing recipe is the highlight of every holiday meal.
She prepared the stuffing with bread, herbs, and vegetables.
How It's Used
"The Thanksgiving turkey was filled with a flavorful sage and onion stuffing."
"She made a delicious stuffing for the chicken."
The process of filling or packing something.
/ˈstʌfɪŋ/
The act or process of filling something.
The stuffing of the beanbag was a difficult job.
💡 Simply: Stuffing can also be the act of putting things into something, like stuffing a pillow with fluff.
👶 For kids: Putting stuff inside something else. Like putting toys into a toy box!
More Examples
The stuffing of the envelopes was completed by the volunteers.
The stuffing of the pillows made them plump.
How It's Used
"The stuffing of the cushions with feathers gave them a soft feel."
"The stuffing inside the teddy bear felt old."
The action of filling something.
/ˈstʌfɪŋ/
The action of putting something inside something else.
I am stuffing the pillows.
💡 Simply: When you're stuffing, you're putting something inside something else. Like, stuffing a pillow with cotton.
👶 For kids: Putting things into something, like putting toys into a box or food inside of a pepper!
More Examples
We are stuffing the turkey with bread and vegetables.
She is stuffing the envelopes with letters.
How It's Used
"She is stuffing the turkey for Thanksgiving."
"They're stuffing peppers with rice and meat."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
stuff one's face
To eat a large amount of food very quickly and greedily.
"He was so hungry, he stuffed his face with pizza."
From Middle English *stuffing*, from the verb *stuffen* ("to fill") and from Old French *estoffer* ("to furnish").
The term 'stuffing' has been used in culinary contexts since the 16th century, initially referring to various fillings for meats and vegetables.
Memory tip
Think of the filling that "stuffs" a turkey.