What does mouthful mean?
A mouthful literally denotes an amount of food or drink taken into or held in the mouth at one time. "Take a mouthful" and "a mouthful of water" therefore describe quantities small enough to be taken in a single bite or sip, though the phrase is also used for a less precisely measured portion. Figuratively, a mouthful can be the words a person utters at once, especially a brief, curt, or impolite remark. "She gave him a mouthful" sounds harsher than "she made a brief comment." A further idiomatic sense appears in "have a mouthful to say," meaning that someone has an important point or complaint to communicate. The expression can be mildly humorous when the point is not substantial. Mouthful is ordinary in both British and American English and is useful because it moves easily between physical quantity and verbal expression. Its defining image is capacity: the mouth holds or releases a limited amount at once.
nounA mouthful is an amount of food or drink held in or taken into the mouth at one time; it can also mean a short utterance or remark. In the expression "have a mouthful to say," it refers to something significant the speaker wants to communicate.
- An amount of food, drink, or other substance taken into or held in the mouth at one time.
- A short utterance or remark consisting of a few words.
- Something important or noteworthy that a person wants to say, as in "have a mouthful to say."
"He managed to swallow a mouthful of water after the long run."
"After taking a mouthful of tea, she realized the cup was still hot."
"He wanted a word with her, but she didn't give him a mouthful."
The plural is regular and commonly used when referring to separate quantities taken at different times.
"She took a few small mouthfuls of the soup while reading."
A mouth can be empty and still have a mouthful to say.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mouthful come from?
Mouthful is an English compound formed from Old English mūþ, meaning "mouth," and Old English full. The two elements are Germanic in origin, and the compound originally referred literally to the amount that could be held in or taken into the mouth. Over time, it developed figurative senses for a short utterance and for something one wants to say.
Related word forms
How mouthful is actually used
The word is neutral in register. Its figurative sense for an utterance can suggest that the remark is brief, curt, or impolite, while "have a mouthful to say" often implies an important or long-suppressed point.