mouthful

noun

mouth·​ful ˈmau̇th-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce mouthful (audio)
1
a
: as much as a mouth will hold
b
: the quantity usually taken into the mouth at one time
2
: a small quantity
3
a
: a very long word or phrase
b
: a comment or a statement rich in meaning or substance

Examples of mouthful in a Sentence

It was a delicious meal. We enjoyed every mouthful. His last name is a real mouthful.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, there’s a demonic agent of chaos with six limbs and a mouthful of huge teeth. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 July 2024 In order to catch liars, the ancient Chinese would sometimes give the accused a mouthful of uncooked rice during interrogation—and then ask the person to open wide. Susan Saulny, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 That mouthful in the name—‘gohyakumangoku’—is the name of the rice, a variety with roots in northern Japan known for making clean, precise styles of sake. Sunset Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024 Everyday activities, like leaning over the sink to spit out a mouthful of toothpaste or driving my car, were agonizing. Korin Miller, Outside Online, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mouthful 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mouthful was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near mouthful

Cite this Entry

“Mouthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mouthful. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

mouthful

noun
mouth·​ful ˈmau̇th-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce mouthful (audio)
1
a
: as much as a mouth will hold
b
: the amount put into the mouth at one time
2
: a small quantity
3
a
: a word or phrase that is very long or difficult to say
b
: a comment or remark that is rich in meaning
you said a mouthful

More from Merriam-Webster on mouthful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!