glassful: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Everyday, informal. More common in spoken than formal written English.
Quick answer
What does “glassful” mean?
The amount of liquid that a drinking glass can hold.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The amount of liquid that a drinking glass can hold.
A quantity of a dry or powdered substance that approximately fills a drinking glass, though this usage is rare. It can also informally refer to a large, full measure of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The base word 'glass' might denote a slightly different volume culturally (e.g., a US 'glass' of water is often 8 fluid ounces/240ml, a UK one may be 200ml), but 'glassful' inherits this informal variation.
Connotations
Neutral in both. It has a slightly old-fashioned or homely feel, often associated with traditional recipes or everyday household serving sizes.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. 'A glass of...' is far more common than 'a glassful of...' in modern usage.
Grammar
How to Use “glassful” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + glassful + of + [liquid/substance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Rare, except perhaps in historical or anthropological texts describing informal measures.
Everyday
Used in informal contexts, especially related to drinking, cooking, or household tasks.
Technical
Not used in scientific contexts. 'Millilitres' or 'fluid ounces' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glassful”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a glassful water' instead of 'a glassful of water').
- Confusing it with the container itself ('He broke the glassful' is wrong; 'He broke the glass' is correct).
- Using the plural 'glassfuls' as 'glassful' (e.g., 'three glassful').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, non-standardised measure. The actual volume depends on the size of the glass being used.
The standard plural is 'glassfuls'. The form 'glassesful' is archaic and rarely used today.
It is possible but uncommon and imprecise. It is primarily used for liquids. For dry goods, 'cupful' or weight measures are more typical.
'A glass' refers to the physical container itself. 'A glassful' refers specifically to the quantity of contents that fills such a container.
The amount of liquid that a drinking glass can hold.
Glassful is usually everyday, informal. more common in spoken than formal written english. in register.
Glassful: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɑːsfʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlæsˌfʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a glass FULL to the brim. The word itself is a clue: GLASS + FUL (full).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR QUANTITY (The glass is a vessel defining a specific, commonly understood amount).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'glassful'?