cupful
B2Neutral to informal; more common in spoken, domestic, and culinary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The amount that a cup can hold, used as a unit of measure.
A considerable quantity of something (often used informally).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable unit of measure (e.g., two cupfuls). While '-ful' usually forms adjectives, here it forms a noun. It denotes the capacity of a cup, not the cup itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in US recipes and domestic contexts where 'cup' is a standard cooking measure. In the UK, metric measures are now standard, so 'cupful' has a more informal, old-fashioned feel.
Connotations
In the US, it's a practical cooking term. In the UK, it can sound quaint or imprecise compared to grams/millilitres.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English; lower and declining in modern British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + cupful + of + [noun (substance)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not half a cupful (informal, dated UK: not at all)”
- “A cupful too many (informal: slightly drunk)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; only in historical or specific cultural contexts.
Everyday
Common in cooking instructions, informal descriptions of quantity.
Technical
Used in older or non-metric culinary texts; not a precise scientific term.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Add one cupful of milk to the mixture.
- The recipe needs two cupfuls of flour.
- She poured a careful cupful of oil into the pan.
- I think I added a cupful too much sugar.
- The old remedy called for a cupful of vinegar and a spoonful of salt.
- He's had a cupful too many and is starting to slur his words.
- After the rain, the birdbath contained a perfect, clear cupful of rainwater.
- She brought with her not just gifts, but a veritable cupful of cheer that lifted everyone's spirits.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CUP that is FULL. That's exactly what a CUPFUL is.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR AMOUNT (The cup is a container metaphorically holding an abstract quantity, e.g., 'a cupful of joy').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'чашка' (the physical object). 'Cupful' is 'чашка' only as a measure.
- Avoid direct translation in phrases like 'a cupful of trouble' – it's an idiomatic quantity.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cupful' to mean the physical cup itself.
- Using plural 'cupfuls' incorrectly as 'cupsful'.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'cupful' (which is non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard plural form of 'cupful'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the US, a 'cup' is a standard culinary unit (approx. 240ml). 'Cupful' refers to the amount this cup holds. It is not an SI (metric) unit.
'A cupful' is a specific measured quantity. 'A cup full' describes the state of a specific cup being filled to the brim with something (e.g., 'He handed me a cup full of coffee').
Yes, but it's figurative and informal (e.g., 'a cupful of kindness'). It is a creative, metaphorical extension of its core meaning.
No, 'cupful' is a noun. The adjective form is 'cupful' is non-standard and rare. Use 'cup-sized' or similar constructions instead.