mouthful

Everyday

1. The amount of food or drink that fills your mouth or that you put in at one time. tree →
2. (informal) A long word or name that is hard to say: «mastication» is a mouthful. tree →
3. (informal) give someone a mouthful: to say rude or angry words to them (UK). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: «don't talk with a mouthful of food». In jokes, a long word is «a bit of a mouthful». In UK slang, «I got a mouthful from the neighbour» means you got shouted at. Phrases: a mouthful of, a bit of a mouthful, give someone a mouthful.

Examples

• Don't talk with your mouth full — swallow that mouthful first! tree →
• He took a big mouthful of cake. tree →
• Just have one mouthful of broccoli. tree →
• Her full name is a real mouthful. tree →
• «Meteorological» is a bit of a mouthful. tree →
• The old man gave the boys a mouthful for kicking the ball into his garden. tree →
• I swallowed a mouthful of sea water. tree →
• Take small mouthfuls so you don't choke. tree →
• ‘Oh! what a mouthful of great white teeth you have, Grandmother!’ tree →

Note

Countable: mouthfuls. Spelled with one l: mouthful (like spoonful, handful). Safety: small mouthfuls help prevent choking.