WordGarden.iomouthful
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈaʊθfəl/
US
- /ˈmaʊθˌfʊl/
Meanings
Noun
as much food or drink as fits in the mouth at once
a word, name, or phrase that is long or hard to say
Beyond the definition
A "mouthful" can literally mean the amount of food or drink that fills your mouth, like a bite of sandwich or a sip of water. But it is also common in figurative use. If someone has a very long or complicated name, you might say, "That's quite a mouthful!" meaning it is hard to say in one go. It can also refer to the force of someone's words. When someone says something very true or important, you might respond with, "You said a mouthful!" to show that their comment had real meaning and gives people something to think about.
Think of it this way: if your mouth is full of food, you can't fit anything else in. Similarly, if a word or a sentence is a "mouthful," it fills your attention and effort completely, leaving little room for anything else until you've processed it.
The word "mouthful" has a delightful duality, moving seamlessly between the physical and the abstract. At its most literal, it describes the amount of food or drink that fits in the mouth. While it can mean a small, singular portion—like "a mouthful of cake"—it often carries the implication of being a bit too much to chew or swallow comfortably.
Beyond the dinner table, "mouthful" expands into the world of language and social interaction. It is the go-to term for words, titles, or names that are long and difficult to pronounce. A scientific term like "deoxyribonucleic acid" is definitely a mouthful! It captures the physical effort required to navigate complex syllables.
Furthermore, the word carries idiomatic weight. To "say a mouthful" means to make a statement that is very important, strikingly honest, or full of meaning. It's a way of saying, "What you just said was a lot to take in because of how true or impactful it was." In some regions, particularly in British English, "giving someone a mouthful" takes on a sharper edge, meaning to scold or yell at someone angrily—essentially "filling" the conversation with a barrage of criticism.
Whether you are tackling a giant burger, stumbling over a long German last name, or listening to a profound truth, "mouthful" perfectly captures the sensation of being faced with something substantial that requires your full effort to "swallow."
Examples
- 1
Food amount
She took a mouthful of soup and waited for it to cool.
- 2
Table manners
Don't try to talk with a mouthful of food.
- 3
Eating while speaking
He told the story between mouthfuls of pasta.
- 4
Long name
The restaurant's full name is a bit of a mouthful.
- Phrasea bit of a mouthful
long or difficult to say
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Long title
"Sustainable Infrastructure Development Committee" is quite a mouthful for a meeting title.
- Phrasequite a mouthful
very long or difficult to say
- 6
Informal agreement
You said a mouthful when you called the plan risky.
- Usagesay a mouthful
say something very true or important; informal
- 7
British complaint
When I asked for a refund, the manager gave me a mouthful.
- Usagegive someone a mouthful
speak to someone angrily; mainly British English
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mouthfulnoun
Forms
- mouthfulspluralnoun
- mouthsfulpluralnoun