chockablock

or chock-a-block

[ chok-uh-blok ]

/ ˈtʃɒk əˈblɒk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR chockablock ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

extremely full; crowded; jammed: a room chockablock with furniture and plants.

Nautical. having the blocks drawn close together, as when the tackle is hauled to the utmost.

adverb

in a crowded manner: books piled chockablock on the narrow shelf.

Nearby words

choc., choccy, chock, chock-a-block, chock-full, chockablock, chocker, chockstone, choco, chocoholic, chocolate

Origin of chockablock

cf. chock close (up to), apparently as back formation from chock-full

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chock-a-block

"Then, if it is true we'll find the Cavarale chock-a-block with British prisoners," said Dacres.
The Dreadnought of the Air|Percy F. Westerman
The big Ravine and all the small nullahs are chock-a-block with corpses.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
I wish I could ask you to stay, but we are chock-a-block with cousins and aunts.
The Independence of Claire|Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
The place was chock-a-block with rough-looking men, either looking on or playing the games.
The Trail of '98|Robert W. Service

A company came on board the Scourge, and they filled us chock-a-block.
Ned Myers|James Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for chock-a-block

chock-a-block

adjective, adverb

filled to capacity; in a crammed state

nautical with the blocks brought close together, as when a tackle is pulled as tight as possible

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012