What does stuffed mean?
Stuffed means filled or packed with something, often so tightly that little space remains. The word is especially common in expressions such as "stuffed with" and "stuffed full of," as when describing a suitcase packed with clothes or a room crowded with furniture. It also has a familiar meaning for an animal-shaped toy: a stuffed toy or stuffed animal. Informally, a person who has eaten a great deal can be called stuffed, and in North American English the word can also mean extremely wealthy, as in "stuffed with money." Another informal use describes someone who is so tired, dazed, or distracted that they cannot think clearly. Across these senses, the central idea is fullness or crowding, whether literal, financial, culinary, or mental.
adjectiveFilled or packed with something, often so completely that there is little or no space remaining. It can also describe an animal or toy made to resemble a living creature, and informally describe someone who has eaten a great deal.
- Filled or packed with something.
- Made in the form of a living creature, especially as a toy or model.
- Having eaten a large amount of food; informally, having eaten so much that one feels full.
- Very wealthy; informal and chiefly North American.
- Dazed, confused, or unable to think clearly; informal.
"The suitcase was stuffed with clothes, and the old teddy bear sat on top of them."
"The box was stuffed with old photographs and letters."
"Children often ask for a stuffed toy when they are given a stuffed animal."
"After Thanksgiving dinner, he felt stuffed and spent the afternoon on the sofa."
The slang expression "stuffed" for being extremely wealthy comes from the idea of being "stuffed with money."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stuffed come from?
The word is the past tense and past participle of the verb "stuff," which means to fill something or put something into something. The older noun "stuff" refers to material or substance generally and is related to the word "stuffy," meaning narrow or overly conventional. The adjective senses of "stuffed" developed from the ordinary idea of a container being filled, while the informal senses reflect extended figurative uses.
Related word forms
How stuffed is actually used
In its sense of being full of food, "stuffed" is informal and can suggest excessive eating. The wealthy sense is also informal, especially in North American English. "Stuffed animal" usually means a toy or model representing an animal, rather than an animal that has been physically filled.