Definition

1. Noun:

   • Material, substance, or things: "Stuff" refers to the material something is made from, or a collection of things, often unspecified.
   • Essence or fundamental quality: "Stuff" can mean the essential nature or substance of something abstract.
   • Unspecified actions, talk, or possessions: Informally, "stuff" refers to activities, talk, or personal belongings without being specific.
   • Capability: "Stuff" can refer to the qualities or abilities needed for a particular role.

2. Verb:

   • To fill something tightly: To push or pack material into a space or container until it is full.
   • To fill food for cooking: To put a seasoned mixture inside food, like a turkey or pepper, before cooking.
   • To overeat: To eat a very large amount of food.
   • To block or clog: To cause a passage to become blocked.
   • To force something into a place: To push something into a space, often quickly or carelessly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • What is this sticky stuff on the floor? (The unspecified material on the floor.)
  • Hard work is the stuff of success. (The essential quality that makes success.)
  • I have a lot of stuff to do today. (Unspecified tasks or activities.)
  • He doesn't have the stuff to be a leader. (The necessary qualities or courage.)

• Verb:

  • She stuffed the suitcase with clothes. (Filled it tightly.)
  • We stuffed the turkey with breadcrumbs and herbs. (Filled it with a cooking mixture.)
  • He stuffed himself with pizza. (Ate too much pizza.)
  • My nose is stuffed up because of a cold. (Blocked or clogged.)
  • He stuffed the papers into his bag. (Forced them in quickly.)

Advanced Usage

• "the stuff of (something)": The essential nature or material that something is made from.

  • Her life story is the stuff of legends. (It has the qualities of a legendary story.)

• "do your stuff": To do what you are skilled at or expected to do.

  • The guitarist stepped on stage and did his stuff. (He performed skillfully.)

• "know your stuff": To be very knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area.

  • Ask her about tax law; she really knows her stuff. (She is an expert.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stuffed (adj): Filled tightly. Also describes a feeling of having eaten too much.

  • I feel stuffed after that big meal. (Very full from eating.)

• Stuffing (n): The mixture used to fill food like poultry. Also, the soft material inside cushions.

  • The stuffing for the chicken is made with sausage. (The food filling.)

• Stuffy (adj): Lacking fresh air; also, formal and old-fashioned in manner.

  • It's stuffy in this room. (The air is stale and warm.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Things, belongings, material, substance, essence, goods, junk.
• Verb: Cram, pack, fill, gorge, overeat, shove, jam.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Stuff up: To block or clog something.

  • Pollen stuffs up my nose every spring. (Causes nasal congestion.)

• Stuff (something) down: To suppress feelings or to eat quickly.

  • He stuffed down his anger. (He forced himself not to show anger.)

Related Idioms

• Stuff and nonsense: A phrase expressing that something said is ridiculous or untrue.

  • "I'm the king of the moon!" "Stuff and nonsense!" (That's ridiculous!)

• Get stuffed!: A rude, informal expression telling someone to go away or expressing strong disagreement.

  • When he insulted me, I told him to get stuffed. (I told him off angrily.)

Noun

1. a critically important or characteristic component
   • suspense is the very stuff of narrative
2. information in some unspecified form
   • it was stuff I had heard before
   • there's good stuff in that book
3. unspecified qualities required to do or be something
   • the stuff of heros
   • you don't have the stuff to be a United States Marine
4. senseless talk
   • don't give me that stuff
5. informal terms for personal possessions
   • did you take all your clobber?
6. miscellaneous unspecified objects
   • the trunk was full of stuff
7. the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
   • coal is a hard black material
   • wheat is the stuff they use to make bread

Verb

1. fill with a stuffing while cooking
   • Have you stuffed the turkey yet?
2. fill tightly with a material
   • stuff a pillow with feathers
3. treat with grease, fill, and prepare for mounting
   • stuff a bearskin
4. overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
   • She stuffed herself at the dinner
   • The kids binged on ice cream
5. obstruct
   • My nose is all stuffed
   • Her arteries are blocked
6. press or force
   • Stuff money into an envelope
   • She thrust the letter into his hand
7. cram into a cavity
   • The child stuffed candy into his pockets