spoonful
Americannoun
-
the amount that a spoon is able to hold
-
a small quantity
Spelling
See -ful.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of spoonful
First recorded in 1250–1300, spoonful is from the Middle English word sponeful. See spoon, -ful
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.
“I like to immerse myself and have a real experience and hopefully make it funny so it’s like a spoonful of sugar for the audience as they learn something.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
But until then, I cherish my cloistered time by the spoonful.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
A spoonful of capers can transform a simple chicken cutlet.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
A spoonful of finely chopped chipotles in adobo follows, along with black beans and fire-roasted corn, available in the freezer section of the supermarket.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
She shovels a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth.
From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
