mouthful

noun

mouth·​ful ˈmau̇th-ˌfu̇l 

1

a

: as much as a mouth will hold

a mouthful of food/water

b

: the quantity usually taken into the mouth at one time

were satisfied after a few more mouthfuls

2

: a small quantity

only given a mouthful of food

3

a

: a very long word or phrase

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. A mouthful that makes much more sense when broken down.

—Tony Dajer

b

: a comment or a statement rich in meaning or substance

"Duddy can do anything," Virgil said. "You said a mouthful, kid."

—Mordecai Richler

Synonyms of mouthful

• bite
• taste
• nibble

Examples of mouthful in a Sentence

It was a delicious meal. We enjoyed every mouthful.

His last name is a real mouthful.

Recent Examples on the Web

For even more ooey-gooey sweetness, the Apple Crumble Center of the Roll hides a dollop of that same cozy apple crumble in the heart of the cinnamon roll, turning every mouthful into a mini holiday moment. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

The footage shows the pup grabbing a mouthful of kibble from his bowl on the hard floor and trotting over to the carpeted area—where his owner and another dog are—to settle down and eat. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Oct. 2025

But now, the future of Lucille’s American Cafe, a Weston comfort-food institution serving up mouthfuls of nostalgia since 1999, is unclear. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025

Their Cap & Cane Spirits Overproof Rum clocks in at 63% ABV and is created from a mix of Guatemalan molasses, turbinado sugar, and evaporated cane juice that delivers a mouthful of flavor. —Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mouthful

• say a mouthful

Rhymes for mouthful

• brimful
• handful
• roomful
• spoonful
• full
• pull
• wool

Kids Definition

mouthful

noun

mouth·​ful ˈmau̇th-ˌfu̇l 

1

a

: as much as a mouth will hold

b

: the amount put into the mouth at one time

2

: a small quantity

3

a

: a word or phrase that is very long or difficult to say

b

: a comment or remark that is rich in meaning

you said a mouthful