stuff1 nounstuff2 verb
stuffstuff1 /stʌf/ ●●● S1 W3 noun [uncountable] 
WORD ORIGINstuff1
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French estoffe, from estoffer ‘to provide with things needed’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Do you have any of that clear plastic stuff to cover food with?
- I've got some sort of sticky stuff on my shoe.
- I don't know how we're going to get all this stuff into the car.
- Our camping stuff alone took up most of the space in the back of the car.
- That stuff stinks.
- The builders have left all their stuff round the back of the house.
- They sent me a bunch of stuff about the university.
- What's that sticky stuff on the floor?
- What kind of stuff did they teach you there?
- You're not going to have a lot of time to pack up your stuff before you move.
- But now she's all married and stuff.
- Gore needs to maintain an impression that all of this is everyday, normal stuff.
- So you only send non-confidential stuff that way.
- Ted had never talked like this, filler talk, stuff you say when you are getting used to having a visitor.
- There were 2 attacks early on, but it takes stronger stuff than this to beat Grimsby.
- We had some spare time, so we started messing around with samples and sequencers and stuff.
THESAURUS
noun [uncountable] the machines, tools, or objects that you use for doing something: · All the camping equipment is in the garage.· You’ll do a better job if you have the right equipment.· We are raising money for equipment for our playgroup.
noun [uncountable] informal equipment and clothes for an activity that you do in your spare time: · We loaded all our gear into the boat, and set off to go fishing.· I’ve decided to sell my climbing gear.· camping gear
noun [countable] things for a particular purpose or activity, especially ones kept together in their own container: · You’ll find a hammer in my tool kit.· Do you have a first aid kit?· You can buy a special kit for damp-proofing your home.
noun [uncountable] tools and machines used for scientific, medical, and technical purposes: · This experiment can be performed using the apparatus shown in the diagram.· Astronauts have special breathing apparatus.
noun [uncountable] informal equipment that you use to do something: · The builders have left all their stuff round the back of the house.· Where’s the decorating stuff?
noun [plural] informal especially British English the equipment or clothes that you need for a particular activity: · She went into the shed where her father kept his gardening things.· They got all the Christmas things out of the loft.
noun [uncountable] written a lot of small things that are used for a particular purpose: · All the paraphernalia for making tea and coffee stood on the bedside table.· The police found drug paraphernalia all over the house.
the cases, bags etc that you carry when you are travelling: · heavy luggage· Security officers checked every piece of luggage.
the cases, bags etc that you carry when you are travelling – used especially when the bags are being looked after by an airline, train company etc: · Check your baggage in at the desk.· He’s a baggage handler for British Airways.· The airline charges for excess baggage (=things that weigh more than the amount that you allowed to take with you on a plane).· Some of their baggage was stolen.
bags that you carry when you are travelling: · They were packing their bags ready for the trip.
informal all the things that someone has with them when they are travelling: · He put the stuff in the car and started to drive away.· Have you got your things?
a solid or liquid substance noun [countable, uncountable] a substance, especially one that can be used for making things: · building materials· The island has to import oil and other raw materials (=materials used for making things).· radioactive material
noun [countable] a type of material such as a chemical or a mineral: · The green colour of the leaf is due to a substance called chlorophyll.· Dioxin is one of the most toxic substances known to man.
noun [uncountable] formal a type of substance – used especially in the following phrases: · waste matter from the body· It is important to add plenty of organic matter to the soil.· People throw away lots of vegetable matter.
noun [uncountable] informal a substance – used especially when you do not know exactly what it is: · What’s that sticky stuff on the floor?
Longman Language Activatornot having equal rights the machines, tools, or objects that you use for doing something: · You should check all your electrical equipment regularly.equipment for: · high technology equipment for policing and traffic controloffice/video/sports etc equipment: · Thieves stole all the video equipment from the college.· We were told to keep all our sports equipment in the lockers downstairs.a piece of equipment: · It's much easier if you have the right piece of equipment for the job.
equipment, especially simple things, that you use to make something or do something useful: · The plumber went back out to the van to get his tools.· As a writer, I don't need any tools, apart from my computer and the internet.tools of the trade (=equipment necessary for a particular job): · For a salesman, a cheap suit and a Ford Escort are the traditional tools of the trade.
tools and machines used especially for scientific, medical, and technical purposes: · This experiment can be performed using the apparatus shown in the diagram.breathing/gym/surgical etc apparatus: · Astronauts have special breathing apparatus.· There's a shop in town which sells all the latest photographic apparatus.
especially British, spoken the pieces of equipment or clothes that you need for a particular activity: · Now, have you got all your things ready?swimming/painting/sewing etc things: · Don't forget to bring your swimming things with you.
informal the equipment and special clothes that you need to do something, especially an activity that you do in your free time: · At 8.30 we loaded all our gear into the boat, and cruised out to a spot a few miles offshore.camping/skiing/fishing etc gear: · Have you got all your football gear?· The soldiers were wearing heavy combat gear and travelling in convoys.
: shaving/sewing/repair etc kit a set of small things that you use to do something: · Always take a first-aid kit with you when you go camping.· You should never go cycling without a basic repair kit.
spoken informal the equipment that you use to do something: · The builders have left all their stuff round the back of the house.camping/painting etc stuff: · Our camping stuff alone took up most of the space in the back of the car.
to know a lot about something · My brother knows about cars. I'm sure he could fix it for you.· You can't become an architect unless you know all about building regulations.know a lot about something · The old man knew a lot about the history of the village.know all there is to know about something (=to know everything about a particular subject) · I thought I knew all there was to know about men, until I met Jason.
knowing a lot of facts about a particular subject, especially about something that not many people know about: · The sales staff are all knowledgeable, helpful, and cheerful.knowledgeable about/in: · We are looking for people who are knowledgeable about the oil and banking industries.· Earley is a diligent reporter, knowledgeable in the field of espionage.
to know a lot about a particular subject because you have had a lot of experience of it: · The new prime minister is well versed in economic policy.· Victor Amadeus was reputed to be well versed in poisons and their antidotes.
informal to know a particular subject very thoroughly: · She's very experienced -- she knows the advertising business inside out.· You need to know your specialized subject inside and out.
British informal to know all the facts that you need to know about a subject, especially because you have found it out before you start doing something: be clued up on: · Are you clued up on what points to look for when buying a used car?be clued up about: · We'd better get clued up about this new computer system before we start using it.
also specialise British to know a lot about one particular subject or activity because you study it or do it more than any other: · My history professor specialized in Russian history.· The chef specializes in Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, but all the dishes we tried were delicious.
informal to know a lot about a particular subject so that your judgement can be trusted, especially because you have had a lot of experience: · Pilger knows what he is talking about, having spent several years as a reporter in Vietnam.· Rolim seemed to know what he was talking about, but his theories raised some questions for me.
informal to know a lot about something, especially about how to do your job, in a way that other people think is impressive: · To pass that test the kids really have to know their stuff.· The doctor who came in looked very young. I was just hoping she knew her stuff.
a solid or liquid substance a type of solid or liquid, such as a chemical, a mineral, or something produced by a plant: · Poisonous substances, such as garden chemicals, should be clearly labelled.· Resin is a dark, sticky substance.· the problem of disposing of radioactive substances· The green colour of the leaf is due to a substance called chlorophyll.
any solid substance that can be used for making things: · Steel is a stronger material than iron.· The company supplies building materials such as bricks and cement.· A layer of insulating material should be placed between the panels and the solid wall.
especially spoken, informal a substance: · What's that sticky stuff on the floor?· Do you have any of that clear plastic stuff to cover food with?
formal any physical substance - used especially in science: · They are investigating an area of space that contains more than the usual amount of matter.· the forces exerted between particles of mattervegetable/organic matter: · In order to decompose, all vegetable matter needs supplies of nitrogen.waste matter: · Dietary fibre makes waste matter from the food we eat pass through our bodies quickly.
to behave in a way that makes other people notice you to keep doing things and saying things in order to show people how clever you are, how brave or strong you are etc - use this especially when you disapprove of this behaviour: · He doesn't usually drive as fast as this. He's just showing off because you're here.· Billy, please stop showing off and sit down quietly!show off in front of somebody: · I think he was trying to show off in front of the girls.show off to somebody British: · We used to wear as much make-up as we dared, in order to show off to our friends.
informal to do something that you do well, usually in a way that shows you are proud of yourself: · We watched the sixteen year olds strutting their stuff on the dance floor.· He likes to strut his stuff on the stage in the annual Shakespeare production.
several things of different types use this when you are talking about two or more things of different types and you do not need to say what they are: · I threw a few things into a bag and ran to the car.somebody's things spoken (=the things that someone owns or that they are carrying with them): · She's coming back later to get her things.all sorts/kinds of things (=a lot of different types of things): · They sell furniture, toys, cards - all sorts of things.
informal spoken objects or possessions of different types: · I don't know how we're going to get all this stuff into the car.somebody's stuff: · You're not going to have a lot of time to pack up your stuff before you move.
spoken things that are not useful and should be thrown away, for example because they are old or broken: · I must clean out this cupboard - it's absolutely full of junk.· They have so much junk in their yard. It makes the neighborhood look awful.
several different things, especially small things that are not of much value: · In the drawer she found a photograph, an old hairbrush, and various other odds and ends.· Odds and ends that haven't sold have been drastically reduced in price.
also bits and bobs British informal a number of small objects that are all different from each other: · There are all sorts of bits and pieces in this box.· Do any of these bits and bobs belong to you?
a large number of different things which you need for a particular activity - you can often use this humorously : · The car is packed solid with all our camping paraphernalia.· She was charged with possessing drug paraphernalia.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
He’s talked to me about all that stuff too. He does mountain biking and skiing, and stuff like that. Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)? Surely you’re not going to give up? I thought you were made of sterner stuff (=were more determined).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines. I never touch the hard stuff (=strong alcohol). His new film is hot stuff (=very good). The girls all think he’s hot stuff. There’s some sticky stuff in your hair. My grandfather was an alcoholic but I never touch the stuff (=never drink alcohol).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
He’s talked to me about all that stuff too. He does mountain biking and skiing, and stuff like that. British English (=used to tell someone that their work is good) This is good stuff.
This is good stuff. Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)? Surely you’re not going to give up? I thought you were made of sterner stuff (=were more determined). (=fill a chicken with a mixture of onion, lemon, herbs etc)
(=to put letters or documents into many envelopes, for example as part of a political campaign)· We need volunteers to stuff envelopes and deliver leaflets.
Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines. I never touch the hard stuff (=strong alcohol). His new film is hot stuff (=very good). The girls all think he’s hot stuff. (=be good at and know all you should about a job or subject)
old-fashioned (=nonsense)· When asked what he thought of astrology, he replied, 'Stuff and nonsense!'
(=put it there quickly and carelessly)· He took off his cap and stuffed it in his pocket.
There’s some sticky stuff in your hair. My grandfather was an alcoholic but I never touch the stuff (=never drink alcohol).· August Jammed full of great stuff.· Furthermore, there's no removable storage, so once the disk is full the older stuff has to go.· They've got vaults full of the stuff.· Under his bed he had a complete medicine chest, full of stuff given him by a veterinary friend in Palm Beach.
· It's usually good rich stuff, ideal for the flower beds, so that's where it was dispatched.· This is mostly mainstream, hit radio, but good stuff that still crosses over.· All good sensational stuff, but the all-important question is, is it going to happen?· She knows where the good stuff is.· It would be my turn to get the good stuff.· Now I get inta the good stuff.· It was good boys' stuff - the hero always scoring the winning goal, hit or try.· I suspect she is made of better stuff than that.
· It may be anything - roots, green stuff, old apples: it all depends.· She must be getting the green stuff elsewhere.· But out it came, the lunch, the champagne, the money, all the green and folding stuff.· A roe deer came down into reeds opposite to munch at green stuff.· Just get a rhythm going with the steel, and start feeding the green stuff under the blade.
· I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you.· Harold thinks it would help him relax in the evening and not hit the hard stuff so hard.· At farmhouse level, cider is hard stuff to control, in the barrel or in the head.· They'd imagine me prostituting myself, or on the hard stuff.· There were about a dozen writers in hospitality, most of them busy knocking back the hard stuff.· The problem is that rock-climbers do all the hardest stuff in this game.· That's what my father used to say whenever he took a glass of the hard stuff.· I have come to believe that the soft occult more often than not leads to the hard stuff.
· These are pretty hot stuff so it is £80 I am afraid.· Flings like the recent Los Angeles Salsa Festival are proof that hoofers have the hot stuff.· It's hot stuff you're dealing with.· Yeahhrrr I say. Hot stuff, Sebastian.
· There's some nice old family stuff put away - crochet edges, embroidery, that kind of thing.· I was told that in order to take up that old stuff, it and the plywood should be removed.· And yet it turns out to be the same old stuff only worse, more, again, further.· Only a touch of the old stuff.· Furthermore, there's no removable storage, so once the disk is full the older stuff has to go.· We discovered new ways of working together. Old stuff now, but nobody had done it that way before.· This is all such old stuff.· I love that old show-biz stuff.
· The real stuff would cost a mint.· The real stuff is what keeps him here.· We crawled through the bushes; real ambush stuff, straight down the road, into the van and drove very fast.· But we always deal with the real stuff, the curriculum, kids' needs, and the rest.· Check the coping. Real pool stuff.· Antimatter, it turns out, is real, nonfiction stuff, but too rare to be used directly as rocket fuel.· The real vintage stuff, like Travolta leather and vinyl jackets, can still be found in local second-hand stores for cheap.· A sophisticated snowmaking system makes up for any lack of the real stuff.
· He had attitude, the right stuff, like a nineteenth-century beatnik.· If in doubt see if it melts with heat, then you are sure you have the right stuff.· This guy Powell has the right stuff.· Now it's the turn of the attack to show it's made of the right stuff.· Often the right stuff is buried under an avalanche of garbage.· Switching on the overdrive channel, however, gave immediate access to the right stuff.· Bob Dole, for instance, demonstrated he has the right stuff by conceding his loss with dignity and congratulating the president.
· There's no rough stuff from the police - nothing you could file a complaint about - just an unexpected public display.· I wait for the rough stuff.· I nursed my damaged finger, and showed it to anyone who wanted me to join in the rough stuff.· A great route, but strictly for lovers of full body contact and a bit of the rough stuff.· A spot of rough stuff in the night; that's all they expected.· But she might still be a hindrance when it came to the rough stuff.· It should out-point them on the rough stuff, too, for the Range Rover is still king of the wild frontiers.
· Of course, that is still small stuff compared with developments elsewhere.· The small time stuff took the money from the council houses.· So we get him back and he gets maybe an extra six months for going over the wall. Small stuff.· Plenty of smaller stuff too, though.· It was all just small stuff, tenders and shuttles.· What income he has comes from heroin, extortion and other people's thieving. Small time stuff, with small people.· Noreen's my girl, I've brought her small stuff.· If this was the small stuff what was the big stuff like?
· This time, however, the opposition was made of sterner stuff.· But it seems to us that hypocrisy should be made of sterner stuff.· Ann, made of sterner stuff than the rest of her tribe, leapt from the car, determined to fish.· Miller seemed about to choke on his drink, but Floyd was made of sterner stuff.· But Bastide was made of sterner stuff.· She examined little boys as if they were made of much sterner stuff than mere flesh and bone.· In the years separating the two Great Wars women were made of sterner stuff.
· He asked Sarah for the photo and he was doing his usual stuff, you know, hand on heart.· But really, now, the season is all about the usual stuff.· I got the usual stuff people get; there were always insensitive professors and they comment.· You know, the usual Fox stuff.· We sat them down and gave them a drink and asked them the usual stuff.· She's also got the usual Walt Disney stuff.· The usual stuff - eat lightly before bed, nothing milky, exercise, cut out fats and keep the tubes clear.
· Controversy, intrigue, the literary spilling of blood is the very stuff of the Guitarist letters page.· This is the very stuff of college life.· Parades are the very stuff of Protestant politics.· We have looked upon it almost as convertible with thought, of which we have called it the very stuff and process.· What are these other than the very stuff of economic development?
VERB· I never bought that stuff about her ever-expanding conscience and I certainly never bought any of her beauty products.· They buy some of the stuff at the grocery.· The negro was obviously homosexual and I realized that homosexuals had been buying that stuff for years.· He must buy this stuff on Times Square.· Its operating software costs almost nothing to market and sell; computer makers hammer on Microsoft's door to buy the stuff.· If you can swing it, by all means buy them new stuff.· People bought the stuff on trust.
· You should do more of this stuff.· I could tell him that tonight, and we could do map stuff.· If it was necessary, I could do hillbilly stuff.· You want to do stuff to them, put parts of your body in parts of their bodies.· I did some bad stuff to some people to prove myself, but I was racked with guilt.· Now do stuff that will make us want to keep watching.· Afterwards, I stood up to do my stuff.· What teachers need to do is put the stuff of the curriculum in its proper perspective.
· Lately we get people round asking if we've got any of her stuff.· I got a lot of stuff for free, a lot of people helped.· It's got stuff in it, but I can't see what it is.· We got our stuff together and got out to the car a little after ten.· You steal my money you get from selling stuff I carried.· It would be my turn to get the good stuff.· A writer gets to make stuff up, while a journalist rewrites press releases.
· So where can I hear this stuff?· And I could hear stuff going on in his stomach.· She heard that stuff a lot.· I love the patriotic feeling I get, hearing this stuff.· The attraction here is the chance to hear the stuff live and to marvel at the harmonies and pristine sound.
· Amazing producer, composer and he can play great stuff.· Fraser and I both studied classical music and revived it playing traditional stuff.
· Perhaps you'd put the stuff all ready in the treatment-room, Nurse Avery.· They are put forward as the stuff of everyday life.· You get yourself over there, we put the stuff in his car.· I wanted to put all that two-faced stuff behind us and settle down with Mary-Claude to live a half-way normal life.· What teachers need to do is put the stuff of the curriculum in its proper perspective.· I put my stuff in a locker and Went out.· It takes too much space and you tend to add different information to different copies and then forget where you put stuff.
· They read my stuff in the paper and they write me.
· And, as it happens, I haven't come to watch you strut your stuff on this dubious little contract.· I have done nothing to allow it to grow, change or strut its stuff.· Enjoys windsurfing, working out at the gym and strutting his funky stuff on the dance floor.· To celebrate, the ensemble will strut their stuff for hometown fans in Ticket to Amsterdam.· Just the thing to stop you from dropping down dead after strutting your stuff to the latest chart topper!· And by 1895, the city was ready to strut its stuff when it hosted the Cotton States International Exposition.· The presenters strut their stuff behind a podium instead of on a runway.
· My father would not touch the stuff, he said it might be poisonous.· I hardly even touch the stuff.· Not that Clarissa ever touched the stuff.· Well-behaved high-caste Hindus do not touch the stuff, and the constitution enshrines prohibition as a public goal.
· And they write this stuff called love poetry.· But my teacher writes the stuff on the blackboard so quickly and then erases it before I can copy it all.· How could she have written such stuff?· I thought they would come to school and write nasty letters and stuff.· He's determined to explore all the avenues open to him, including writing folky and pastoral stuff.· You look at these old broadcasts and you see these literate, well-traveled, mostly men who wrote their own stuff.· Did she want to write such weary stuff?· Somehow, we hoped, when the test finally came, she would be able to finesse the written stuff.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► ... and stuffPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a bit of stuff/fluff/skirt► kid’s stuff► knock the stuffing out of somebody► don’t sweat the small stuff
1things informal used when you are talking about things such as substances, materials, or groups of objects when you do not know what they are called, or it is not important to say exactly what they are: - It's amazing to watch him do his stuff on the basketball court.
- Afterwards, I stood up to do my stuff.
- At times, it seems that Benson is unable to simply roll the camera and let them do their stuff.
- Derek Jefferson had abandoned his executive suit for a caddie's bib and was ready to do his stuff again.
- Having the appetite to get out there and do your stuff is the key factor for an international player.
- I should go and do my stuff.
- You can put your stuff over here for now.
- But such philosophical dissent, at this point, is the stuff of dreams in a dreamworld.
- How does a political system handle the incredibly difficult and complicated value allocations that are the stuff of politics?
- Our ideas and hopes for the future are the stuff of life.
- This was the stuff of life.
- Within this realm the stuff of dreams and nightmares can coalesce from the very air.
- If Tapie was a fish he'd be stuffed to the gills this issue!
- It's a surprise then to find the Powerhaus pretty much packed to the gills.
- Just get a rhythm going with the steel, and start feeding the green stuff under the blade.
- But Bastide was made of sterner stuff.
- But it seems to us that hypocrisy should be made of sterner stuff.
- In the years separating the two Great Wars women were made of sterner stuff.
- Miller seemed about to choke on his drink, but Floyd was made of sterner stuff.
- The female characters, too, are made of sterner stuff than the quick-witted schemers of Figaro.
- The visitors seem to be made of sterner stuff.
- This time, however, the opposition was made of sterner stuff.
- He likes to strut his stuff on the stage in the annual Shakespeare production.
- Look at Dave strutting his stuff on the dance floor.
- We watched the sixteen year olds strutting their stuff on the dance floor.
- And by 1895, the city was ready to strut its stuff when it hosted the Cotton States International Exposition.
- And, as it happens, I haven't come to watch you strut your stuff on this dubious little contract.
- I have done nothing to allow it to grow, change or strut its stuff.
- Just the thing to stop you from dropping down dead after strutting your stuff to the latest chart topper!
- No, this guy's fault is he had one too many bourbons before getting up to strut his stuff on the dance-floor.
- The presenters strut their stuff behind a podium instead of on a runway.
- To celebrate, the ensemble will strut their stuff for hometown fans in Ticket to Amsterdam.
I’ve got some sticky stuff on my shoe. How do you think you’re going to fit all that stuff into the car? I felt sorry for the ones who had to eat the awful stuff. Where’s all the camping stuff?2somebody’s stuff informal the things that belong to someone: Did you get the rest of your stuff?3activities/ideas informal used when talking about different activities, subjects, or ideas, when you do not say exactly what these are: What kind of stuff do you like to read? I’ve got so much stuff to do this weekend. There’s a lot of interesting stuff in this book. He’s talked to me about all that stuff too. He does mountain biking and skiing, and stuff like that.4work/art informal used when you are talking about what someone has done or made, for example writing, music, or art: I don’t like his stuff. John Lee was getting ready to play his stuff. He did some great stuff in his early films.good stuff British English (=used to tell someone that their work is good) This is good stuff.5... and stuff spoken informal used to say that there are other things similar to what you have just mentioned, but you are not going to say what they are: There’s some very good music there, CD systems and stuff, and laser disks.6the (very) stuff of dreams/life/politics exactly the kind of thing that dreams etc consist of: an enchanting place – the very stuff of dreams7character the qualities of someone’s character: Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)? Surely you’re not going to give up? I thought you were made of sterner stuff (=were more determined).8do/show your stuff informal to do what you are good at when everyone wants you to do it: Come on Gina, get on the dance floor and do your stuff! → bit of stuff at bit1(14), → kid’s stuff at kid1(4), → know your stuff at know1(5), → strut your stuff at strut1(2)GRAMMAR: Comparisonstuff• Stuff is an uncountable noun and is not used in the plural. You say: · The shop sells all kinds of stuff. ✗Don’t say: The shop sells all kind of stuffs.foodstuff• Foodstuff is a countable noun and is often used in the plural: · The country has to import basic foodstuffs such as rice.stuff1 nounstuff2 verb
stuffstuff2 ●●○ verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
stuff
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | stuff |
| he, she, it | stuffs | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | stuffed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have stuffed |
| he, she, it | has stuffed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had stuffed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will stuff |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have stuffed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am stuffing |
| he, she, it | is stuffing | |
| you, we, they | are stuffing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was stuffing |
| you, we, they | were stuffing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been stuffing |
| he, she, it | has been stuffing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been stuffing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be stuffing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been stuffing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Could you help me stuff these peppers?
- He had the fish stuffed to put on the wall in his office.
- She hurriedly stuffed some things into an overnight bag and left.
- We had to stuff envelopes with letters and information packs.
- After all, peacock feathers still shine brightly when their owner is dead and stuffed.
- I stuffed my shirt tail back into my trousers and tried to straighten my tie.
- Life, for me, is certainly not too short to stuff a mushroom.
THESAURUS
to make something or someone move by pressing them with your hands, arms etc: · Push the door, don’t pull it.· She pushed him away and walked out.
to push someone or something in a rough or careless way: · People were shoving to get to the front of the queue.· Tom shoved his suitcase under the bed.
informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: · She stuffed a few clothes into a bag and left.
to push someone or something with your finger or something sharp: · I poked the snake with a stick but it was dead.
to push someone beside you gently with your elbow to get their attention: · Toby nudged me and pointed out of the window.
to push something round or something on wheels so that it moves forward: · They rolled the logs down the hill.· The car still didn’t start so we tried to roll it off the road.
to push something with wheels, for example a bicycle or a trolley, so that it moves forward, while guiding it with your hands: · Rob wheeled his bike round the back of the house.
to put enough of something into a container to make it full: · Jenny filled the kettle and put it on to boil.· Party balloons can be filled with helium.
to fill something completely – used especially about putting petrol in the tank of a car: · I need to fill up the car.· The waiter filled up everyone’s glasses.· If the oil tank is less than half full, tell them to fill it up.
to fill a vehicle with goods, furniture etc: · Two men were loading a truck with boxes of melons.
to quickly fill something such as a bag or pocket by pushing things into it tightly: · She hurriedly stuffed some things into an overnight bag and left.
to fill a container again, after what was in it has been used: · I’m just going to refill this bottle from the tap.
British English, top off American English to fill a glass or cup that still has some liquid in it: · Can I top up your glass of wine?
formal to make something full again, especially with a supply of something such as water or food: · The lake is fed by springs that are eternally replenished by the rain.
Longman Language Activatorto eat a lot or too much to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything else: stuff/gorge yourself with: · Having stuffed himself with burgers, Terry was unable to finish his dessert.stuff/gorge yourself on: · The Romans would gorge themselves on grapes and plums.
informal to eat a lot of food -- used humorously: · Last night we pigged out and ate three pizzas.pig out on: · When he's depressed he always pigs out on ice cream.
informal to eat too much food -- used especially humorously, and used to say that someone has behaved in an embarrassing way when eating with other people: · I had four pieces of cake and made a real pig of myself.· Don't make such a pig of yourself; you've eaten enough.
to regularly eat too much in a way that is bad for your health: · You need to watch your weight - have you been overeating?· A woman who overeats during pregnancy can cause health problems for her child.
to make something full to put enough of something into a container to make it full: · Mix the spinach and cheese and use it to fill the pasta shells.fill something with something: · We stood at the counter, filling our bowls with salad.· He had a notebook that he had filled with stories and poems.
to fill a container that already has a small amount of something in it: · The waiter filled up everyone's glasses.fill something up with something: · If the oil tank is less than half full, tell them to fill it up.fill up something with something: · I filled up the sandbox with some more sand.
to quickly fill something such as a bag or pocket by pushing things into it tightly: stuff something into something: · She hurriedly stuffed some things into an overnight bag and left.stuff something with something: · We had to stuff envelopes with letters and information packs.
to push too many things into a container or space, so that they are all pressed together: cram/jam something into something: · I crammed all my clothes into the suitcase and called a taxi.· Too many houses are crammed into too small an area.· Fifty-five children were jammed into a classroom designed to hold thirty.
also load up to fill a vehicle with goods, furniture etc: · Loading the van was hard work.· This giant machine can load up a 10-ton truck every few minutes.load something into something: · A woman was loading groceries into her car.load something with something: · Two men were loading up a truck with boxes of melons.
to push an object into an opening or into something soft to push a sharp object into something soft, or push something into a small space: stick something into/up/inside etc something: · They stuck pins into a map to show where the enemy's camps were.· The doctor had to stick a tube down my throat in order to examine my stomach.
to push something into a small space using a lot of strength: force something into/through/down something: · She tried to force her feet into the shoes but they were too small.· I finally managed to force the package through the small letterbox.
informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: shove/stuff something into/up/down etc: · She shoved two more sweaters into her bag.· He quickly stuffed the letter down the side of the sofa.
to push something very hard or violently into something: ram something into something: · She rammed the papers into her briefcase.· Construction workers had to spend the night ramming iron girders into place to support the building.
to push something deep inside another thing, especially violently or suddenly: plunge something into something: · Plunging both hands deep into the sack she rummaged among the parcels.· Then he plunged the knife into his victim's chest.
to push something suddenly and hard into an opening or into something soft: thrust something into something: · He thrust the knife deep into the animal's chest.· Thrusting the gun back into its holster, the man grinned at the body lying on the floor.· He thrust some money into my hand and told me to drive him to the airport.
to push something with difficulty into a space that is too small: squeeze something into something: · I don't think I can squeeze any more files into this drawer.· It's no use trying to squeeze yourself into clothes that are too small for you.
to push something forcefully into a small space, so that it fits tightly and is difficult to pull out again: jam something under/into etc something: · Just hold the door open while I jam a wedge under it.· Kelly poured himself another glass of wine and jammed the cork back into the bottle.
WORD SETSallspice, nounbake, verbbarbecue, verbbaste, verbblanch, verbboil, verbbottle, verbbouillon cube, nounbraise, verbbreadcrumbs, nounbreaded, adjectivebrine, nounbroil, verbbrown, verbbutter, verbcandied, adjectivecaper, nouncaramel, nouncardamom, nouncarve, verbcasserole, nouncasserole, verbcaster sugar, nouncharbroil, verbchervil, nounchestnut, nounchicory, nounchill, verbchilli powder, nounchip, verbcilantro, nouncinnamon, nounclean, verbclove, nouncochineal, nouncoconut, nouncook, verbcook, nouncookbook, nouncookery, nouncookery book, nouncordon bleu, adjectivecore, verbcoriander, nouncream, verbcrisp, verbcube, verbculinary, adjectivecumin, nouncurry powder, noundeep fry, verbdessertspoon, noundevilled, adjectivedice, verbdone, adjectivedress, verbessence, nounfat, nounflambé, adjectiveflan, nounflavouring, nounflour, nounflour, verbfrost, verbfrosting, nounfry, verbglaze, verbglaze, noungourmet, adjectivegourmet, noungrate, verbgrease, noungrease, verbgreaseproof paper, noungrill, verbgrill, noungrind, verbgut, verbhard-boiled, adjectivehaute cuisine, nounhob, nounhull, verbhusk, verbice, verbicebox, nounicing, nounicing sugar, nouningredient, nounjoint, verbknead, verblard, nounlard, verbleaven, nounliquidize, verbmarinade, nounmarinate, verbmarjoram, nounmicrowave, verbmince, verbmincer, nounmint, nounmix, verbmix, nounnouvelle cuisine, nounnutmeg, nounoil, nounolive oil, nounoverdone, adjectiveparboil, verbpare, verbpickle, verbpipe, verbpit, verbpitted, adjectivepkt, pluck, verbplum tomato, nounpoach, verbprecooked, adjectivepreheat, verbprep, verbprove, verbrecipe, nounreduce, verbrice paper, nounrind, nounrise, verbroast, verbroast, nounroast, adjectiverosemary, nounroux, nounsaffron, nounsage, nounsalt, nounsalt, verbsauce, nounsausage meat, nounsauté, verbsavory, nounscalloped, adjectivesear, verbseason, verbseasoning, nounself-raising flour, nounself-rising flour, nounsesame, nounshell, verbshortening, nounshort-order cook, nounshuck, verbsieve, verbsift, verbsifter, nounsimmer, verbsimmer, nounskewer, verbsmoke, verbsoak, verbsoda, nounsodium bicarbonate, nounspice, nounspice, verbspicy, adjectivestarch, nounsteam, verbsteep, verbstew, verbstock, nounstone, verbstrain, verbstuff, verbstuffing, nounsunny-side up, adjectivesweat, verbsweet-and-sour, adjectiveTabasco, nountandoori, adjectivetarragon, nountbsp, teaspoon, nountenderize, verbtenderloin, nountextured vegetable protein, nounthaw, verbthyme, nountimer, nountoast, nountoast, verbtoss, verbtruss, verbtsp, turmeric, noununderdone, adjectivevinaigrette, nounvinegar, nounwhip, verbwhisk, verbyeast, nounzap, verbzest, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY boxes stuffed full of papersCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines. I never touch the hard stuff (=strong alcohol). His new film is hot stuff (=very good). The girls all think he’s hot stuff. There’s some sticky stuff in your hair. My grandfather was an alcoholic but I never touch the stuff (=never drink alcohol).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
boxes stuffed full of papers (=fill a chicken with a mixture of onion, lemon, herbs etc)
(=to put letters or documents into many envelopes, for example as part of a political campaign)· We need volunteers to stuff envelopes and deliver leaflets.
Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines. I never touch the hard stuff (=strong alcohol). His new film is hot stuff (=very good). The girls all think he’s hot stuff. (=be good at and know all you should about a job or subject)
old-fashioned (=nonsense)· When asked what he thought of astrology, he replied, 'Stuff and nonsense!'
(=put it there quickly and carelessly)· He took off his cap and stuffed it in his pocket.
There’s some sticky stuff in your hair. My grandfather was an alcoholic but I never touch the stuff (=never drink alcohol).· I can see the black-backed notebooks, stuffed down between the sacks like something lost in a hayloft.
NOUN· Stella and he had found them stuffed into old cigar boxes and plastic shopping bags scattered in different places around the house.
· She doesn't think that stuffing envelopes for the Democrats once every four years makes her an activist.· A secretary worked at a desk piled with green stock certificates, stuffing them into manila envelopes.· Finding volunteers to stuff envelopes for the local theater may be relatively easy.· She also worked in abortion clinics stuffing envelopes or providing counseling over the phone.
· He's been stuffing his face ever since we left London.
· He stuffed his hands in his trouser-pockets and regarded her with enigmatic eyes.· The old man stuffed his hands in his back pockets.
· Leif, the beggar, was crouched in the inglenook, stuffing his mouth full of richly sauced venison.· Omar sighed, his round smooth cheeks swelling with the meat, mashed potatoes, and peas-he had stuffed in his mouth.· He sat by a table and stuffed chips into his mouth.· She broke off a piece of baguette, spread it with butter and jam, stuffed it into her mouth.· But her tongue feels as if it has been stuffed in her mouth like a rag to keep her quiet.· But he marks his victims, apart from stuffing their mouths with hair.· Even when a gag was stuffed into her mouth the sounds went on and on.
· Dougal stuffed them into his pocket.· He took off his tie and stuffed it into his pocket.· He tore it free, stuffed it in his pocket and returned the pad, slamming the drawer and locking it.· And the more seats that are filled, the more cash promoter Bob Arum and the fighters can stuff into their pockets.· Gathering up the debris, she stuffed it into her pocket to dispose of in the galley bin below.· When no one was looking, I stepped outside and walked home, my hands stuffed into my pockets.· Magee took one, glanced at it and stuffed it into his pocket.· They were sleeping with their pants on, and with their passports, watches, and wallets stuffed in their front pockets.
· Cook separately, or use to stuff a turkey.· If you stuffed the turkey, remove the stuffing and store separately.· Most home cooks prefer to roast a stuffed whole wild turkey for the drama of the presentation.
VERB· Now Tabitha sat on the bunk, trying to stuff everything back into the bag.· The Husayns seemed to have got hold of a piece of pottery and were trying to stuff it under Khan's coat.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► somebody can stuff somethingPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a bit of stuff/fluff/skirt► kid’s stuff► knock the stuffing out of somebody► don’t sweat the small stuff
1push [always + adverb/preposition] to push or put something into a small space, especially in a quick careless way SYN shovestuff something into/in/up something- He took off his tie and stuffed it into his pocket.
- He tore it free, stuffed it in his pocket and returned the pad, slamming the drawer and locking it.
- I stuffed it inside the file, closed the briefcase and put that back in the wardrobe.
- She broke off a piece of baguette, spread it with butter and jam, stuffed it into her mouth.
- Shell it out, or stuff it?
- Some one else must have helpfully stuffed it all back again.
- Take your whining and stuff it.
- Without a word she jerked it out of his hand and stuffed it in the garbage.
- I watched Claude stuff himself into his trousers.
- She so obviously hadn't given up stuffing herself with Salmon's cream buns.
- The naan bread was big; we'd both stuffed ourselves with it during the meal but it was still big.
- The Scarecrow stuffed himself with fresh straw and Dorothy put new paint on his eyes that he might see better.
- We do know that some people stuff themselves with fiber and still get cancer.
- We laugh as we stuff ourselves with bouillabaisse.
- When I first started thinking about Christmas, I decided to spend it alone and stuff myself with food.
- Your son knows where it comes from even if he doesn't take the stuff himself.
- He obviously had impregnation on his mind, but by now Lydia had lost her temper and she told him to get stuffed.
- He told me to get stuffed.
- I doubt if it ever dawned on him that his patient wife would tell him to get stuffed.
- The Raiders are getting stuffed because the defensive line is penetrating.
- Under his breath, the Vice President was telling him to get stuffed.
- If Tapie was a fish he'd be stuffed to the gills this issue!
- It's a surprise then to find the Powerhaus pretty much packed to the gills.
- Just get a rhythm going with the steel, and start feeding the green stuff under the blade.
- But Bastide was made of sterner stuff.
- But it seems to us that hypocrisy should be made of sterner stuff.
- In the years separating the two Great Wars women were made of sterner stuff.
- Miller seemed about to choke on his drink, but Floyd was made of sterner stuff.
- The female characters, too, are made of sterner stuff than the quick-witted schemers of Figaro.
- The visitors seem to be made of sterner stuff.
- This time, however, the opposition was made of sterner stuff.
- He likes to strut his stuff on the stage in the annual Shakespeare production.
- Look at Dave strutting his stuff on the dance floor.
- We watched the sixteen year olds strutting their stuff on the dance floor.
- And by 1895, the city was ready to strut its stuff when it hosted the Cotton States International Exposition.
- And, as it happens, I haven't come to watch you strut your stuff on this dubious little contract.
- I have done nothing to allow it to grow, change or strut its stuff.
- Just the thing to stop you from dropping down dead after strutting your stuff to the latest chart topper!
- No, this guy's fault is he had one too many bourbons before getting up to strut his stuff on the dance-floor.
- The presenters strut their stuff behind a podium instead of on a runway.
- To celebrate, the ensemble will strut their stuff for hometown fans in Ticket to Amsterdam.
She stuffed two more sweaters into her bag.► see thesaurus at push2fill to fill something until it is full: Volunteers were busy stuffing envelopes.be stuffed with something a pillow stuffed with feathers boxes stuffed full of papers► see thesaurus at fill3food to fill a chicken, pepper etc with a mixture of bread or rice, onion etc before cooking it4dead animal to fill the skin of a dead animal in order to make the animal look still alive: a stuffed owl5stuff yourself (also stuff your face) informal to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything elsestuff with The kids have been stuffing themselves with candy.6get stuffed British English spoken used to tell someone very rudely and angrily that you do not want to talk to them or accept their offer: He only offered me £10 for it, so I told him to get stuffed.7somebody can stuff something spoken used to say very angrily or rudely that you do not want what someone is offering: ‘All right. You can stuff your money!’ Reynolds exploded.8stuff it spoken used to say angrily or rudely that you do not care about something or do not want something: I thought, stuff it, I’ll do what I want.