- (informal) used to refer to a substance, material, group of objects, etc. when you do not know the name, when the name is not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about
- What's all that sticky stuff on the carpet?
- The chairs were covered in some sort of plastic stuff.
- This hot sauce is good stuff.
- I don't know how you can eat that stuff!
- They sell stationery and stuff (like that).
- Where's all my stuff (= my possessions)?
- Could you move all that stuff off the table?
- I want to buy some expensive tech stuff.
Synonyms thingsthingsstuff ▪ property ▪ possessions ▪ junk ▪ belongings ▪ goods ▪ valuablesThese are all words for objects or items, especially ones that you own or have with you at a particular time.things (rather informal) objects, clothing or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purpose:see also foodstuff- Shall I help you pack your things?
- Bring your swimming things.
- Where’s all my stuff?
- This building is government property.
- Be careful not to damage other people’s property.
- Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions except letters and photographs.
- I’ve cleared out all that old junk from the attic.
- Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane.
- He was found guilty of handling stolen goods.
- Never leave cash or other valuables lying around.
- personal things/stuff/property/possessions/belongings
- to collect/gather/pack (up) your things/stuff/possessions/belongings
- to search somebody’s/your/the things/stuff/property/belongings
- to go through somebody’s/your/the things/stuff/belongings
- (informal) used to refer in a general way to things that people do, say, think, etc.
- Peter's article had lots of interesting stuff in it.
- There's still a lot of cool stuff happening in Manchester.
- I've got loads of stuff to do today.
- I like reading and stuff.
- The band did some great stuff on their first album.
- This is all good stuff. Well done!
- I don't believe in all that stuff about ghosts.
- What's all this ‘Mrs Smith’ stuff? Call me Anna.
- He's done so much stuff and been so many interesting places.
- (North American English) I've read a whole bunch of stuff by different people over the past few days.
- stuff (of something) (formal or literary) the most important feature of something; something that something else is based on or is made from
- The trip was magical; the stuff of which dreams are made.
- Parades and marches were the very stuff of politics in the region.
- Connor's story is the stuff of legend.
- the stuff of dreams/nightmares
- Let’s see what stuff you’re made of (= what sort of person you are).
Word OriginMiddle English (denoting material for making clothes): shortening of Old French estoffe ‘material, furniture’, estoffer ‘equip, furnish’, from Greek stuphein ‘draw together’.
Idioms
See stuff in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee stuff in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe made of sterner stuff
- to have a stronger character and to be more determined in dealing with problems than other people
- Many would have given up, but Tim was made of sterner stuff.
don’t sweat the small stuff
- (North American English, informal) used to tell somebody not to worry about small details or things that are not important
do your stuff
- (informal) to do what you are good at or what you have been trained to do
- Some members of the team are just not doing their stuff (= doing as well as they should).
- (figurative) The medicine has clearly done its stuff.
kids’ stuff (British English)
(North American English kid stuff)
- something that is so easy to do or understand that it is thought to be not very serious or only suitable for children
- That was kids' stuff compared with what lies ahead.
- The movie is pure kids' stuff from beginning to end.
know your stuff
- (informal) to know a lot about a particular subject or job
not give a stuff
- (British English, slang) to not care at all about something
strut your stuff
- (informal) to proudly show your ability, especially at dancing or performing
- strutting your stuff to the latest chart hits
stuff and nonsense
- (old-fashioned, informal) used to say that something is stupid or not true
Check pronunciation:
stuff