spoonful
Americannoun
-
the amount that a spoon is able to hold
-
a small quantity
Spelling
See -ful.
Other Word Forms
- half-spoonful adjective
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.
A spoonful stirred into chicken salad for something creamier without the weight.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
A pat of butter melting into everything, a scatter of cheese, a cool spoonful of sour cream.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
But somebody in my party would always have something spicy and I can have a spoonful to add to mine.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026
It was a marvel of its genre: cream cheese, sharp cheddar, a splash of Worcestershire, a spoonful of sugar, crushed pineapple, pecans.
From Salon • Dec. 9, 2025
When he tasted the first spoonful, his eyes lit up—he was Scooter—and he went, “A-bye, a-bye!”
From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli
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.
