What does stomachful mean?
A stomachful is the amount of food held in the stomach, especially when it is a substantial serving. In everyday speech, it can also refer to a person's capacity or willingness to eat, as in having a good stomachful for a large meal. Less commonly, a stomachful means courage or the nerve to endure something difficult or intimidating. The word has an informal, traditional flavor and is more conversational than neutral or technical. It is useful in expressions that emphasize appetite, physical fullness, or emotional resilience, while modern speakers may prefer terms such as a full stomach, a meal, or courage depending on the intended meaning.
The quantity of food contained in the stomach; a full stomach.
"The dog woke up with a stomachful of food."
Often used to refer to a substantial amount of food, with an informal tone.
Informally, courage or the ability to face something unpleasant or intimidating.
"He had the stomachful to tell the truth."
This sense is especially associated with British English and is informal.
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The children ate three stomachfuls of porridge between them."
A stomachful can mean a meal, but it can also mean the nerve to face something difficult: having the stomachful for a challenge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stomachful come from?
The word was formed in English by combining “stomach” with the adjective “full,” a pattern that creates a noun naming the contents or measure of something. “Stomach” itself comes through Old French from Latin, ultimately from Greek gastēr, meaning “belly.” The modern sense meaning courage developed from the idea of tolerating food or discomfort in the stomach and later extended metaphorically to facing what is difficult.
How stomachful is actually used
The word is informal and somewhat old-fashioned. The sense meaning courage is especially associated with British English, while the food-related senses are used in both British and American English.
Easily confused with stomachful
A stomachful is the contents of the stomach or a meal's worth of food, whereas a stomachache is pain in the abdomen.
A stomachful refers specifically to food in the stomach, while a handful can refer to a small quantity of many things.