1Matter, material, articles, or activities of a specified or indeterminate kind that are being referred to, indicated, or implied.

1. 1.1A person's belongings, equipment, or baggage.
   ‘he took his stuff and went’
   More example sentences

   • ‘Your stuff has proven it works with my equipment so I am going to need lots of it within the next six months.’
   • ‘But this stuff is being purveyed by the Religious Affairs Department of the Saudi Armed Forces.’
   • ‘And so, all Graham's stuff for the trip packed neatly into two soft cases, to bed.’
   Synonyms

   belongings, possessions, personal possessions, effects, property, goods, goods and chattels

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2. 1.2British informal, dated Worthless or foolish ideas, speech, or writing; rubbish.
   More example sentences

   • ‘stuff and nonsense!’
   • ‘At first sight such an idea seems outrageous stuff and nonsense.’
   • ‘The problem is, however, that to get to the point where we can afford all this stuff and nonsense, we have to work ridiculously long hours.’
   • ‘The lectures were the usual old stuff and nonsense, but it's so easy to make new friends when you just bitch.’
   • ‘So what are the general public and patients to make of this stuff and nonsense?’
   • ‘It doesn't go in for politics or injustice or any such stuff and nonsense.’
   Synonyms

   nonsense, twaddle, balderdash, claptrap, gibberish, drivel

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3. 1.3informal Drink or drugs.
   More example sentences

   • ‘the islanders get fighting mad on the stuff’
   • ‘‘Are you doing stuff, Kevin?’ he asked’
   • ‘I slowly went downhill and back on to the heavy stuff like heroin.’
   • ‘If they allowed dope to be used, I could grow her stuff, she could smoke it, and her life would be improved.’
   • ‘At first money wasn't a problem I had a good job, good house, I sold my house to the drug dealers so they could sell their stuff.’
   • ‘Basically, it's stuff to get drunk with; that is really what alcohol is for.’
   • ‘It follows that you need a sufficient quantity to significantly alter your mood, otherwise why drink the bloody stuff?’
   • ‘Piffle mate, would you go in a car while the driver is smoking the stuff?’
   • ‘I would not encourage my kids to smoke the stuff, but when they are sixteen, they can if they want.’
   • ‘Me and my bros used to drink that stuff like we now drink beer i.e. like there's no tomorrow.’
4. 1.4one's stuffThings in which one is knowledgeable and experienced; one's area of expertise.
   More example sentences

   • ‘he knows his stuff and can really write’
   Synonyms

   facts, information, data, subject, discipline

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2The basic constituents or characteristics of something or someone.

3British dated Woollen fabric, especially as distinct from silk, cotton, and linen.

4North American (in sport) spin given to a ball to make it vary its course.

1. 4.1Baseball A pitcher's ability to produce spin on a ball or control the speed of delivery of a ball.
   ‘He says he hasn't changed anything in his delivery - he just isn't trusting his stuff.’
   More example sentences

   • ‘Bernero has savvy and changes speeds, but hitters sometimes sit on his off-speed stuff.’
   • ‘Ramirez struggles with his control at times but has much better stuff and is more durable than Reynolds.’
   • ‘His stuff is similar to that of Kerry Wood, the player whom I am speaking of above.’

1Fill (a receptacle or space) tightly with something.

1. 1.1Force or cram (something) tightly into a receptacle or space.
   ‘he stuffed a thick wad of notes into his jacket pocket’
   More example sentences

   • ‘As she rolled her clothes up tightly and stuffed them in securely, she tried to recall what it was that she missed the most.’
   • ‘My hand was unexpectedly clutching the stone tightly as I stuffed the paper back in the bottle.’
   • ‘Once inside the man quickly tied her wrists together behind her back and stuffed a thick cloth into her mouth and tied it tightly behind her head, gagging her.’
   • ‘I kept folding up the wads of twenties and stuffing them in the pocket of my shorts.’
   • ‘Removing his gloves, Charles stuffs them in the pocket of his gray woolen coat before walking away from the table.’
   • ‘Quickly, they put coats, boots, hats, scarves and gloves on, stuffing cookie into their mouths as quickly as possible.’
   • ‘I was stuffing a pair of gloves in his pockets when he walked into the room.’
   • ‘She grabbed some latex gloves and stuffed them in her pocket along with the transmitter enclosed in a bag, with fingerprints already removed.’
   • ‘Vincent was a little worried that Kass would drag the book into his house, but the clever boy stuffed it inside the glove compartment.’
   • ‘He then tore off his white gloves, and stuffed the garments into his knapsack as he drew closer to a pub near the outskirts of Firith.’
   • ‘Christy removed her hat and gloves and stuffed them into her coat pocket.’
   • ‘It was unbelievable how much junk was stuffed into the small space.’
   • ‘He gathered his homework into a pile and stuffed it into his book-bag.’
   • ‘The bags of cash were much too large to hide, but they were stuffed underneath the back seats as tightly as possible.’
   • ‘She smiled back and went to the sink, where she wedged a rubber cap past the pile of dishes and stuffed it onto the drain.’
   • ‘I muttered and began to adjust the black leather jacket and stuffed it in my bag, before overlooking the boxes.’
   • ‘Hundreds of drawings are stuffed into piles of plastic carrier bags, and on the bed a punk Teddy bear, complete with badges, safety pins and a torn ear, lies on his own little pillow.’
   • ‘Shoving students into lectures is like stuffing sausage meat into one end of a sausage machine but ignoring the copious waste that spills out half way through the process.’
   • ‘She shoved supplies into her pack, stuffing it nearly to the point that it could rip the seams.’
   • ‘I stuffed the bottle with scraps of paper and tinder-dry sticks of which there was a plentiful supply.’
   Synonyms

   shove, thrust, push, ram, cram, squeeze, press, force, compress, jam, wedge

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2. 1.2informal Hastily force (something) into a space.
   More example sentences

   • ‘Sadie took the coin and stuffed it in her coat pocket’
   • ‘He read it hastily before stuffing it in his pocket.’
   • ‘Young and the others hastily stuffed a purifier into each nostril and inhaled some much needed fresh air.’
   • ‘Hastily, she stuffed her feet into a pair of sneakers and ran downstairs to where her grandfather was waiting for her.’
   • ‘Schilling hastily stuffed a box full of items for her to auction at the tournament.’
   • ‘He laughed while hastily stuffing the paper in his binder, still cracking up about his ‘little joke’.’
   • ‘Hastily, I stuffed the Oreo boxes into a large duffel bag.’
   • ‘I hastily stuffed the blouse and skirt into the plastic bag Terry brought.’
   • ‘I copied down the words and hastily stuffed the paper in my pocket.’
   • ‘Lucas hastily stuffed his drawings back into their folder and the folder disappeared into his backpack again.’
   • ‘I pulled out the piece of paper from my pocket where I had hastily stuffed it.’
   • ‘Hastily, Gwen stuffed her cell phone in her purse, and got on the computer where she checked her email.’
   • ‘He went to his locker, snagged some of his things and stuffed them hastily inside his large duffel bag.’
   • ‘She packed up her books and hastily stuffed them in her bag, walked out the hall and headed straight for the door.’
   • ‘Cane picked up the coins and stuffed them in his pockets; there were perhaps two hundred, so soon his pockets were full.’
   • ‘He produced a bread knife and ordered the women to open the safe and then lie on the ground before he stuffed notes and coins into a black holdall.’
   • ‘She hastily scribbled something down, and then stuffed the pad into a drawer in the kitchen.’
   • ‘I meekly stuffed the meter with pound coins to the maximum permitted amount and we commenced shifting boxes and bags.’
   • ‘I hastily stuffed everything into my backpack, crushing many important math assignments… whoops!’
   • ‘I hastily stuffed three more forkfuls in my mouth, waiting for him to answer.’
   • ‘I asked Sarza as she hastily stuffed water bottles, napkins, and granola bars into a tote bag.’
3. 1.3Fill out the skin of (a dead animal) with material to restore the original shape and appearance.
   ‘he took the bird to a taxidermist to be stuffed’
   More example sentences

   • ‘Several Irish talk show hosts have been filling the air waves with information about stuffing your dead pets.’
   • ‘The dead elephant was stuffed and exhibited, and it stood in Vienna until Maximilian sent it to Munich.’
   • ‘One thing unites the animals: they are all dead but stuffed by taxidermists at Edinburgh's Royal Museum on Chambers Street.’
   • ‘The prize for the final event, the best overall bird, is that it will be stuffed free of charge by local taxidermist Gerry Lundy.’
   • ‘The Rivington otter has been sent to a Liverpool taxidermist to be stuffed.’
   • ‘He brought the ladder under a light gray stuffed Husky dog, climbed up the three steps and took down the dog.’
   • ‘Phar Lap, a famous Aussie racehorse, was stuffed and standing in a corner.’
   • ‘We also saw a variety of stuffed animals, birds and the full body size skins of the bear and the moose.’
   • ‘This room was packed full of fishing, game and stuffed animals and game birds.’
   • ‘Hefty wooden tables and benches are situated on two levels and stuffed birds and animals stare down at diners from under the high ceiling's wooden beams.’
   • ‘What appears to be a very strange place with large bird cages and freaky stuffed animals wasn't manufactured on a sound stage but was in fact exactly how his house looked every day!’
   • ‘As well as early fossils, there are displays of stuffed animals and birds, including a male and female Great Bustard.’
   • ‘Last week I had the rare opportunity to shoot a panorama inside a museum diorama animal display filled with stuffed animals large and small.’
   • ‘Why would there even be such a museum filled with stuffed versions of animals who are not extinct?’
   • ‘But doesn't this collection of stuffed, damaged, dead animals upset Singer, even though she has put her heart into giving them a purpose?’
   • ‘They've got stuffed beasts, stuffed birds, stuffed fish, and a huge historic rifle collection.’
   • ‘But Ron says there is still a place for stuffed or freeze-dried animals and birds.’
   • ‘My neighbor is sitting beside me at a drum kit, with a stuffed hound dog between us.’
   • ‘Then they come to a taxidermist's shop with stuffed animals in the window.’
   • ‘Poppino nurtures his student in the black arts of stuffing dead animals and soon Valerio has given up his job and his girlfriend to pursue this new calling.’
4. 1.4Fill (the cavity of an item of food) with a savoury or sweet mixture, especially before cooking.
   ‘chicken stuffed with mushrooms and breadcrumbs’
   More example sentences

   • ‘It may be eaten in the form of tamales, the dough stuffed with savoury or sweet mixtures and steamed in maize or banana leaves.’
   • ‘But I fancied the savoury pancakes stuffed with mushrooms, tomatoes and onions, and covered in a creamy cheese sauce.’
   • ‘The chicken breasts can be stuffed in advance and popped in the steamer when you get in from work.’
   • ‘Try the skewered shiitake mushrooms stuffed with minced chicken or handmade buckwheat noodles.’
   • ‘The game hen was light, savory and the chestnut stuffing slightly sweet, and deliciously spiced.’
   • ‘Whole wheat tortillas are stuffed with refried black beans, real cactus leaves and cheddar cheese.’
   • ‘I've stuffed the ravioli with a thick paste or pesto of rocket and crunchy pine nuts for a really punchy flavour and texture, ready for a thin coating of rich tomato sauce.’
   • ‘The burrito was stuffed with a mess of subtly-spiced smooth black beans, chunks of nicely roasted vegetables and molten cheese.’
   • ‘The thick slices of roast duck are stuffed into peeled fresh lychees, which are then laid in a sauce of lime, honey and osmanthus paste.’
5. 1.5informal Fill (oneself) with large amounts of food.
   More example sentences

   • ‘he stuffed himself with Parisian chocolates’
   • ‘Meanwhile, while Holly stuffed herself with food and downed the coffee, someone put their hands over her eyes.’
   • ‘Imitating their elders on such occasions, they stuffed themselves with a lot of food and drink, and roared with merriment to the bemusement of all the diners around.’
   • ‘For that few minutes, we were all silent, as we stuffed ourselves with the delicious food.’
   • ‘Staff dressed up in football shirts, raffled prizes and stuffed themselves with cake all in the aid of three local charities.’
   • ‘We had stopped off at one of the many abandoned convenience stores on the way, and stuffed ourselves with what little was left.’
   • ‘After they stuffed themselves with pizza and soda, they walked the short distance to the motel.’
   • ‘After we had stuffed ourselves with pasta and salad, the six of us decided on a few games at the bowling alley.’
   • ‘We stuffed ourselves with hot dogs, corn dogs, funnel cakes, and everything else that we couldn't draw ourselves away from.’
   • ‘This is a lovely event which appeals to all the couch potatoes who stuffed themselves with Christmas Turkey on the day before and who now need considerable exercise to work it off!’
   • ‘There may be a large birthday cake but, by the time everyone's stuffed themselves with turkey and pudding, nobody can ever face eating even a small slice of it.’
   • ‘After losing my supper thanks to those cursed waves last night, I stuffed myself with plain crackers this morning to settle my stomach.’
   • ‘Needless to say my ticket's already paid for and will be waiting for me at the box office tomorrow night after I've stuffed myself with turkey.’
   • ‘Sales of sandals, swimwear and ice cream have fallen and we're stuffing ourselves with comfort food to warm up after getting drenched.’
   • ‘Jeremy had lit the fire earlier and I was lying beside it now, basking in the heat and stuffing myself with food.’
   • ‘When everybody finally stuffed themselves full of food, Mr. Kaufman led us as we checked the exits hoping that they were unlocked.’
   • ‘On busy weekends, most tables are overlooked by a high-chair in which a small, food-covered being is stuffing itself with penne by the fistful.’
   • ‘I, at this point in time, was stuffing myself with so many biscuits that I was finding it hard to keep them inside my face.’
   • ‘The picture of you stuffing yourself with nachos in a fairy costume is not the best one to post on the Internet.’
   • ‘We then watched Fungus the Bogeyman whilst stuffing ourselves with fruit pastilles.’
   • ‘I added a carton of milk and a dessert to my tray and turned to look at the sea of faces already stuffing themselves with their lunch.’
   Synonyms

   fill, cram, gorge, overindulge, satiate

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6. 1.6informal Fill (envelopes) with identical copies of printed matter.
   More example sentences

   • ‘they spent the whole time in a back room stuffing envelopes’
   • ‘Other employees stuffed 1,700 envelopes for the event on state time, the affidavit said.’
   • ‘Zines needed to be physically copied, taken down to the local alternative music shop, or stuffed in envelopes and mailed.’
   • ‘For now, all of his value can be typed onto an application and stuffed in a Manila envelope to be scanned in fifteen minutes by a member of the admissions department.’
   • ‘While it may have stuffed one enormous envelope through the SEC's door, that isn't quite enough for Nasdaq.’
   • ‘Those envelopes looked expertly stuffed and labelled.’
   • ‘The company printed a map and stuffed copies into envelopes carrying the legend ‘map inside’.’
   • ‘She grabbed one of his hands and forcibly stuffed the sealed envelope into it.’
7. 1.7North American Place bogus votes in (a ballot box).
   ‘EU observers say they also saw incidents of his supporters tampering with voter lists and stuffing ballot boxes.’
   More example sentences

   • ‘As you can see, the team came in fourth even without stuffing the ballot box and telling relatives to vote for our team.’
   • ‘I'm not normally one to encourage people to stuff the ballot box, but you might want to vote in this poll twice.’
   • ‘He tries to make sure that the ballot box isn't stuffed by chefs and restaurateurs eager for a high rating.’
   • ‘Maybe a whole lot of people just discovered the contest, and maybe someone stuffed the ballot box.’
   • ‘Supporters held my opponents at gunpoint while they stuffed the ballot boxes.’
   • ‘You don't need to stuff ballot boxes here; you don't need to put dead people on the voter rolls.’
   • ‘I should also note that he did a fine job of stuffing the ballot box with phony phone calls to Smith to make him look he supported the draft.’
   • ‘As long as you are not actually caught publicly stuffing the ballot box, how could Google possibly suggest that you are doing so?’
   • ‘A team of journalists also saw ballot boxes being stuffed with ‘yes’ votes by an official at one polling station.’
   • ‘Am I bothered by the results of a popularity contest where it would be oh-so-easy to stuff the ballot box?’
   • ‘Professor Lightbody would tell you that indifference ensures that no one stuffs the ballot box.’
   • ‘I asked for your votes to christen the small, flightless bird formerly known as Moderately Evil Penguin, and you stuffed the ballot box in your droves.’
   • ‘The opposition claims the Movement for Multiparty Democracy stuffed ballot boxes and tampered with the count.’
   • ‘Allegations of vote rigging and stuffing of the stuffing the ballot boxes ensued.’
   • ‘The right to vote can neither be denied outright nor destroyed by alteration of ballots nor diluted by stuffing ballot-boxes.’

2British informal usually in imperative Used to express indifference towards or rejection of (something)

3British informal Defeat heavily in sport.

4British vulgar slang (of a man) have sex with (someone).