thimbleful: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, Formal, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “thimbleful” mean?
A very small amount of a liquid, especially a spirit, that would fill a thimble.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small amount of a liquid, especially a spirit, that would fill a thimble.
A tiny or minuscule quantity of anything; a small measure or portion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling, pronunciation, or core meaning differences.
Connotations
Both varieties use it with the same nuance. It is slightly more associated with older or more traditional descriptions of drink in the UK.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties; considered a somewhat quaint or deliberately old-fashioned word.
Grammar
How to Use “thimbleful” in a Sentence
[quantifier/determiner] + thimbleful + of + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically, e.g., 'The report offered only a thimbleful of actionable data.'
Academic
Very rare; used for stylistic effect in humanities, e.g., 'The archive yields a thimbleful of clues about daily life.'
Everyday
Uncommon; used humorously or for emphasis when describing very small amounts, especially of drink.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thimbleful”
- Using it for countable objects (*a thimbleful of books* – awkward). Spelling: 'thimblefull' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it is commonly used figuratively for non-liquid, abstract quantities (e.g., 'a thimbleful of sense'). Using it for solid objects is unusual.
Approximately 1-2 millilitres (less than a teaspoon). It's an informal, not a precise, measurement.
No, it is a low-frequency word. It is used for stylistic, humorous, or emphatic effect rather than in everyday measurement.
A 'drop' can be singular and smaller. A 'thimbleful' suggests a small, contained volume, often with a sense of it being a deliberate, measured, or pleasingly tiny serving, especially of alcohol.
A very small amount of a liquid, especially a spirit, that would fill a thimble.
Thimbleful is usually literary, formal, humorous in register.
Thimbleful: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɪmbl̩ˌfʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɪmbl̩ˌfʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not enough] to wet a thimble”
- “[couldn't fill] a thimble”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sewing THIMBLE on your finger. A THIMBLEFUL is the tiny amount it could hold.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS VOLUME / IMPORTANCE IS SIZE. A 'thimbleful' metaphorically frames a small quantity as a small container's volume, often implying insufficiency.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'thimbleful' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?