stuffed
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the feeling of being very full after you have eaten a large meal.
satiated to the point of discomfort after consuming a large quantity of food.
Simple“I couldn't possibly eat another bite of cake; I am absolutely stuffed.”
In context“After the five-course holiday banquet, the guests sat back in their chairs, feeling completely stuffed and unable to move.”
UsageOften used with the intensifier 'absolutely'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
filled with soft material, like a toy or a cushion.
filled or packed with a substance, typically a soft material for padding or preservation.
Simple“The child slept every night with a stuffed bear she had owned since birth.”
In context“The attic was crowded with old stuffed chairs and boxes of winter clothing that had been packed away years ago.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
food that has been filled with a mixture of other ingredients before cooking.
prepared by having the interior cavity filled with a seasoned mixture.
Simple“We had stuffed peppers for dinner, filled with rice and herbs.”
In context“The chef prepared a traditional stuffed turkey, using a family recipe for the breadcrumb and sage filling.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
broken, not working, or in a very difficult situation.
rendered non-functional or placed in a hopeless situation from which recovery is unlikely.
Simple“My old car is finally stuffed; the engine won't even turn over.”
In context“If we don't secure the funding by Friday, the entire project is stuffed and we'll have to let the staff go.”
Teacher's tipCommon in British, Australian, and New Zealand English; it is a milder alternative to more vulgar terms for being ruined.
- 05 C1 Advanced
feeling extremely tired or worn out.
experiencing extreme physical or mental exhaustion.
Simple“I've been working in the garden all day and I'm absolutely stuffed.”
In context“By the end of the marathon, the runners looked completely stuffed, barely able to walk to the recovery tents.”
From stuff + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.