stuff

UK: stʌf | US: stʌf

Definition
  1. n. 1. Unspecified material, substance, or items collectively.

  2. n. 2. Personal belongings or possessions.

  3. vt. 1. To fill or pack tightly with material.

  4. vt. 2. (Informal) To consume food excessively.

Structure

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Etymology

Derived from Old French estoffe ("material, fabric"), which likely originated from Vulgar Latin stuppa ("coarse flax or tow"), influenced by Greek stuppē ("tow, flax fibers"). The word evolved in Middle English to broadly denote "material" or "essence," later expanding to informal uses like "belongings" or "actions" (e.g., "do your stuff"). Its verb form emerged from the idea of "filling with material."

Examples
  1. She sorted through the stuff in her backpack.

  2. The pillow was stuffed with feathers.

  3. He stuffed himself with pizza at the party.

  4. "Where did you put all your stuff?" she asked.

  5. The museum displays fascinating historical stuff.