stuff
stuff — noun
1. any physical matter that you can see or touch, used for unnamed substances whose
any physical matter that you can see or touch, used for unnamed substances whose precise name is unimportant or has escaped your memory
What is that sticky black stuff on the kitchen floor?
question pattern: 'What is that…stuff?' for unknown substances
The pipe was clogged with some kind of brown, muddy stuff.
uncountable: 'some kind of…stuff'
A creamy white stuff had leaked from the container onto the shelf.
Hui wiped the green stuff off the wall, but it kept coming back.
- sticky stuff
- green stuff
- white stuff
- the same stuff
- what's that stuff
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Uncountable — never 'stuffs'. Use 'a kind of stuff', 'some stuff', 'what's that stuff?' when the precise name is unknown or unimportant.
Common Mistakes
2. the various actions, words, or topics that relate to a particular subject or per
the various actions, words, or topics that relate to a particular subject or person — used as a broad term when exact details are not being given
Daichi has been busy with work stuff all week — preparing reports and emails — and could not join us for dinner.
collocation: 'work stuff' for job-related activities
Yumi told me all about her trip and the stuff they did in Tokyo.
The meetings were full of boring stuff about budgets and deadlines.
adjective + stuff: 'boring stuff'
I do not read those online political opinion pieces — that kind of stuff just makes me angry.
demonstrative: 'that kind of…stuff'
- work stuff
- boring stuff
- political stuff
- all that stuff
- that kind of stuff
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Informal. Commonly used with an adjective or a noun modifier (boring stuff, work stuff, exam stuff). Avoid in formal academic writing — use 'matters', 'activities', or 'topics' instead.
Common Mistakes
3. a person's belongings or things they own, carry, or keep with them
a person's belongings or things they own, carry, or keep with them
Christopher packed all his camping stuff into the back of the car.
possessive + stuff: 'his…stuff'
Please take your stuff with you when you leave the hotel room.
The movers loaded everyone's stuff onto the truck before noon.
possessive plural: 'everyone's stuff'
Amira left some of her stuff at my house after the party.
- my stuff
- your stuff
- pack your stuff
- leave your stuff
- move your stuff
- belongings
more formal; the standard term for personal property
- things
equally informal and common
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Informal. Use 'belongings' or 'possessions' in formal contexts. Unlike 'furniture' or 'luggage', 'stuff' covers any type of personal item — from clothes to electronics to books.
Common Mistakes
4. used after mentioning one or two examples to indicate that there are more simila
used after mentioning one or two examples to indicate that there are more similar items you are not naming
We bought bread, cheese, and stuff like that for the picnic.
pattern: '[item], [item], and stuff like that'
The store sells art supplies — paints, brushes, canvas, that kind of stuff.
pattern: 'that kind of stuff' after examples
Renata teaches yoga, meditation, and all that healthy-living stuff.
pattern: 'all that…stuff'
The class covers grammar, vocabulary, writing — the usual stuff you learn in English.
- and stuff
- and stuff like that
- that kind of stuff
- all that stuff
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Always follows a list of examples. The phrase 'and stuff' alone signals that more could be added but the speaker chooses not to. Common after 'like' or 'that kind of'.
Common Mistakes
5. a person's natural skill, talent, or expert knowledge in a particular area
a person's natural skill, talent, or expert knowledge in a particular area
Adina will really show her stuff when she competes in the city baking championship tonight.
collocation: 'show your stuff' or 'see someone's stuff'
Hari really knows his stuff when it comes to fixing old cars.
idiom: 'know your stuff'
The young pianist proved she had the stuff to play at the national concert hall.
collocation: 'have the stuff' = have the ability
The coach told the young player to show her stuff during the championship match.
- know your stuff
- show your stuff
- have the stuff
- prove your stuff
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Almost always occurs in fixed expressions: 'know your stuff' (be very knowledgeable), 'show your stuff' (demonstrate your ability), 'have the stuff' (possess the necessary quality). Rarely used alone without one of these patterns.
Common Mistakes
6. the most important quality or substance that forms the core of something and giv
the most important quality or substance that forms the core of something and gives it its true character
The story of Darius and Kemi escaping the burning hotel was the stuff of legends.
pattern: 'the stuff of [legends/dreams]'
The diary entries that Kwame's grandmother wrote during the war became the stuff of family legend.
The volunteers who saved books from the library fire showed the stuff that heroes are made of.
pattern: 'the stuff that…is made of'
João's grandfather taught himself to read at sixty, the stuff of inspiration for their town.
- the stuff of
- the stuff that…is made of
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
the stuff of [something]
Usage Note
Literary or semi-formal register. Typically appears in the structure 'the stuff of [noun]' (the stuff of dreams, the stuff of nightmares, the stuff of legend). Do not use this sense in everyday conversation about physical objects.
Common Mistakes
7. speech, writing, or ideas that are silly, worthless, or untrue
speech, writing, or ideas that are silly, worthless, or untrue
The car salesman said the engine was new, but my uncle called it a load of stuff.
collocation: 'a load of stuff' or 'a bunch of stuff'
The newspaper printed a bunch of stuff about celebrities that nobody believes.
I read Ignacio's essay on climate policy, but honestly it was just stuff — no real data or arguments at all.
Élise told me all that stuff about ghosts, but I do not believe it.
collocation: 'all that stuff about…'
- a load of stuff
- a bunch of stuff
- all that stuff about
- that stuff
Grammar Patterns
uncountable noun
Usage Note
Strong dismissal. 'That's stuff' alone is rare — almost always comes with a dismissive modifier: 'a load of stuff', 'a bunch of stuff', 'all that stuff'. More emphatic than 'nonsense' in British English; similar in force to 'rubbish' (UK) or 'crap' (informal).
Common Mistakes
To have a stronger character and be more determined than others when facing difficulties.
Many would have quit, but Maya was made of sterner stuff.
Is he made of sterner stuff than his brother?
An advice not to worry about unimportant details or minor issues.
Don't sweat the small stuff; focus on the big picture.
Sara told herself to don't sweat the small stuff and relax.
do your stuff
idiomTo perform the activity you are skilled at or trained to do.
The chef did his stuff and prepared a delicious meal.
Now it's your turn to do your stuff on stage.
kids’ stuff
idiomSomething that is very easy or only suitable for children.
That puzzle is kids' stuff for a math expert.
Compared to the advanced course, this is kids' stuff.
know your stuff
idiomTo have a lot of knowledge about a particular subject or job.
Diego really knows his stuff when it comes to computers.
Does the new teacher know her stuff about history?
not give a stuff
idiomTo not care at all about something.
He does not give a stuff about the rules.
I don't give a stuff what they think.
strut your stuff
idiomTo proudly show your ability, especially in dancing or performing.
The dancers strutted their stuff on the stage.
Go ahead and strut your stuff at the talent show.
stuff and nonsense
idiomUsed to say that something is stupid or not true.
Stuff and nonsense! That story is completely false.
He called the rumor stuff and nonsense.
stuff — verb
1. to put so much material into a container or space that it is completely full and
to put so much material into a container or space that it is completely full and cannot hold any more
Gabriel stuffed the pillow with soft cotton until it was firm and round.
pattern: 'stuff [object] with [material]'
Karim stuffed the suitcase with so many clothes that it would not close.
The children stuffed the piñata with candy and small toys.
Emma stuffed old newspapers into the box to protect the glass cups.
alternate pattern: 'stuff [material] into [container]'
- stuff with
- stuff into
- stuff full of
- stuffed to the brim
- empty
to remove all contents from a container
Grammar Patterns
stuff [container/space] with [material]
stuff [material] into [container]
Usage Note
More forceful than 'fill' — implies packing firmly or to capacity. The object can be either the container (stuff the bag with groceries) or the material being inserted (stuff the groceries into the bag).
Common Mistakes
2. to thrust or force an item into a place that has very little room left, usually
to thrust or force an item into a place that has very little room left, usually because you are rushing or being careless
Zayd stuffed his dirty socks into the bottom of the wardrobe.
pattern: 'stuff [object] into [space]'
Noa stuffed the letter into her bag without folding it properly.
The child stuffed a handful of grapes into his mouth all at once.
pattern: 'stuff [food] into [mouth]'
Ilan stuffed the receipt into his pocket and forgot about it.
- stuff into
- stuff down
- stuff in
- quickly stuff
- carelessly stuff
Grammar Patterns
stuff [object] into/up/down [space]
Usage Note
The focus is on the action being rushed or rough, not on the result of filling completely. The space is usually too small for the object, or the action is done without care. Common adverbs: quickly, carelessly, roughly.
Common Mistakes
3. to treat a dead creature's skin so that it keeps its natural shape and appears r
to treat a dead creature's skin so that it keeps its natural shape and appears real, achieved by applying chemicals and putting preserving padding inside the body
The museum has an owl that was stuffed almost a hundred years ago.
passive: 'was stuffed'
Hunters sometimes pay a specialist to stuff the animals they have shot.
The old fisherman kept a stuffed marlin on the wall of his cabin.
adjective use: 'stuffed [animal]'
The museum collection includes a stuffed tiger brought from India in the 1890s.
- stuffed animal
- stuffed bird
- stuffed fish
- stuffed and mounted
- mount
the preferred professional term in taxidermy
Grammar Patterns
stuff [animal]
Usage Note
Frequently passive: 'a stuffed bear', 'was stuffed by a professional'. The adjective form 'stuffed' (as in 'a stuffed owl') is very common and appears as a compound noun in 'stuffed animal' (trophy) — do not confuse with 'stuffed animal' meaning a child's soft toy (teddy bear).
Common Mistakes
4. to engage in sexual intercourse with someone — an extremely vulgar, rude, and of
to engage in sexual intercourse with someone — an extremely vulgar, rude, and offensive expression that you should never use
Rachid recognised the word from an uncut movie he watched, but he knew better than to use it himself.
recognition-only sense — do not use in production
When the subtitles showed that word in the film, the teacher told the students it was too offensive to repeat.
The online slang guide listed the word as highly offensive and warned learners never to say it.
During the lesson on offensive language, the teacher mentioned the word only so students could recognise it.
Grammar Patterns
stuff [someone]
Usage Note
⚠️ EXTREMELY OFFENSIVE. Rated as vulgar slang. Do not use. The purpose of including this sense is recognition only: you may encounter it in uncensored media. There is NO polite or neutral context where this sense is acceptable.
5. to fill a vegetable, piece of meat, or other food with a mixture of chopped ingr
to fill a vegetable, piece of meat, or other food with a mixture of chopped ingredients before cooking it
Asher stuffed the turkey with a mixture of bread, herbs, and onions.
cooking pattern: 'stuff [food] with [filling]'
The recipe says to stuff the peppers with rice and ground beef.
pattern: 'stuff [food] with [ingredients]'
Stuffed mushrooms are a popular appetiser at dinner parties.
adjective: 'stuffed [food]' as a dish name
You can stuff a chicken with lemon slices and garlic for extra flavour.
- stuffed with
- stuffed peppers
- stuffed turkey
- stuff a chicken
- fill
general term — 'stuff' is more specific to food with a cavity to be filled
Grammar Patterns
stuff [food] with [filling]
Usage Note
Common as an adjective in dish names: stuffed peppers, stuffed turkey, stuffed mushrooms. The filling (stuffing) is usually a savoury mixture of bread, vegetables, herbs, or meat. Use 'stuff' + 'with' to specify the filling.
Common Mistakes
6. to eat a large amount of food, especially quickly and greedily
to eat a large amount of food, especially quickly and greedily
Hoa stuffed herself at the buffet and could barely walk afterwards.
reflexive: 'stuff oneself'
The kids stuffed their faces with birthday cake and ice cream.
collocation: 'stuff your face'
Do not stuff yourself on snacks before the Thanksgiving dinner — save some room for turkey.
Grandma always tries to stuff us with more food than we can eat.
pattern: 'stuff [someone] with [food]'
- stuff yourself
- stuff your face
- stuff someone with
- stuffed full of
Grammar Patterns
stuff yourself
stuff your face
stuff [someone] with food
Usage Note
Almost always reflexive (stuff yourself, stuff your face) or causative with 'with' (stuff someone with food). 'Stuff your face' is very informal but not offensive — common in casual conversation among friends. The simple 'I stuffed' alone is unnatural without a reflexive object.
Common Mistakes
7. to leap high and forcefully slam a basketball into the hoop to score, often as a
to leap high and forcefully slam a basketball into the hoop to score, often as an impressive athletic move
Elena leaped high and stuffed the ball through the net with both hands.
action pattern: 'stuff the ball through the net'
The crowd went wild when the forward stuffed a rebound in the final seconds.
sports context: 'stuff a rebound'
João is known for stuffing the ball from almost any angle near the basket.
Mira stole the ball at the free-throw line and stuffed it with a powerful one-handed slam.
noun use: 'a stuff' = a dunk shot
- stuff the ball
- stuff a rebound
- stuff it in
- slam dunk
- dunk
much more common term in modern basketball; 'stuff' sounds slightly dated
- lay up
a gentle, soft shot from near the basket — the opposite of a forceful dunk
Grammar Patterns
stuff [the ball]
Usage Note
Less common than 'dunk' in modern basketball commentary, but still used. 'Stuff' can also be a noun in this context ('He made an incredible stuff'). Mainly American English. The action must be forceful and downward — a gentle lay-up is not a stuff.
Common Mistakes
8. to block or clog a passage, pipe, or opening so that air, liquid, or other mater
to block or clog a passage, pipe, or opening so that air, liquid, or other material cannot pass through
The drain in the kitchen sink got stuffed with food scraps and grease.
passive: 'got stuffed with [material]'
Emma's nose was all stuffed up from the cold, and she could not smell anything.
phrasal: 'stuffed up' for nasal congestion
Old leaves had stuffed the gutter, causing water to overflow during the rain.
If you stuff the exhaust pipe, the engine will not start.
- stuffed up
- stuffed with
- get stuffed
- stuffed nose
- stuffed drain
- unblock
to remove an obstruction; 'unclog' for drains specifically
Grammar Patterns
stuff [passage/pipe/nose] (up)
Usage Note
Common with 'up' as a phrasal verb ('stuffed up') for medical contexts ('stuffed-up nose'). The adjective 'stuffed-up' is hyphenated when used attributively ('a stuffed-up nose'). The blockage can be physical (drains, pipes) or bodily (sinuses, ears).
Common Mistakes
Word family
- stuffedadjectiveB1
- stuffingnounB2
- stuffyadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words refer to what something is physically made of, but they differ in register and precision. 'Stuff' is the most informal and vague — you use it when you do not know or care about the exact name ('What is that gooey stuff on the table?'). 'Substance' is more scientific or formal; it implies a material with a known chemical composition or consistent properties ('a sticky substance', 'a toxic substance'). 'Material' focuses on what something is made from or what can be created with it — it often implies a purpose ('building materials', 'raw materials'). 'Matter' is the most abstract and philosophical; it refers to physical substance in a general, scientific sense ('the study of dark matter', 'organic matter'). In everyday conversation, 'stuff' is by far the most common; 'substance' and 'material' are used when you need to sound more precise or formal; 'matter' is rare outside scientific or philosophical contexts.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'stuff' entered English from Old French 'estoffe', meaning supplies, provisions, or materials. The French word likely came from Greek 'styppein', meaning to pull or prepare flax fibres for spinning. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'materials or supplies' to 'any unspecified substance or collection of things'. The verb form developed from the idea of filling something with material — originally with cloth or stuffing for cushions and saddles — and later expanded to the many senses we use today.