shovelful
Americannoun
-
shovelfuls
plural
Spelling
See -ful.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of shovelful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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In almost all cases, it came down to inadequate thought and planning before the first shovelful of dirt was turned.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 7, 2023
Silliest thing in the world is standing there throwing a shovelful of dirt at a 80-foot flame, feel like a complete idiot, but enough shovelfuls, you'll put it out.
From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2021
He carefully hauled out the bins, tipped them over and tossed piles of golden grain into his bison’s feeding pen by the shovelful.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 21, 2020
Siri Russell wiped away tears as she emptied a shovelful of dirt into one of the glass jars.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 7, 2018
He slammed his blade into the ground, then dumped out another shovelful of dirt.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
When fires broke out, flames could engulf an entire train car, forcing Woods to act quickly to contain the blaze with buckets of water and shovelfuls of sand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026
Rant for not taking a couple of extra shovelfuls of asphalt to fill the big pothole which is literally 2 feet from one of the intersections that were repaved as part of this project.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 2, 2022
Every day more solemn shovelfuls of dirt are poured into graves, and another shiva begins.
From New York Times ● Oct. 31, 2018
Brian Rodriguez, 22, of Moreno Valley, tried to pace himself as he heaved aside shovelfuls of leaves and chopped roots while humming to the tempo of Johnny Cash’s rendition of “John Henry.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2018
Faro came up and sniffed the first few shovelfuls of earth I turned over.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
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