ladleful
Definition
- Noun:
- Amount held by a ladle: "ladleful" refers to the quantity of liquid or substance that a ladle can hold when filled.
- A serving measure: It is used as a unit of measurement for serving soups, stews, or other liquid foods.
Usage Examples
- (The amount of soup that fits in one ladle.)
- (A specific serving measure.)
- (A large serving of chili using a ladle.)
Advanced Usage
"a ladleful of kindness": A metaphorical use meaning a generous amount of kindness or goodwill.
- She offered a ladleful of kindness to the grieving family. (She gave them a large measure of emotional support.)
"by the ladleful": In large quantities, typically referring to liquid or semi-liquid substances.
- The soup was served by the ladleful at the community dinner. (It was served in generous, full-ladle portions.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ladle (n): a large, deep spoon with a long handle, used for serving liquids.
- He used a ladle to serve the punch. (The tool itself.)
- Ladle (v): to serve or transfer with a ladle.
- She ladled the stew into bowls. (The action of using a ladle.)
Synonyms
- Scoopful: the amount held by a scoop (often used for dry or semi-solid substances).
- Serving: a portion of food given to one person, but not necessarily measured by a ladle.
Related Idioms
- "a ladleful of trouble": A figurative expression meaning a large amount of difficulty or problems.
- His words brought a ladleful of trouble to the meeting. (They caused significant problems.)
Notes on Usage
- "Ladleful" is a countable noun and can be pluralized as "ladlefuls" (e.g., ).
- It is most commonly used in cooking, serving food, or metaphorical contexts involving generous portions.