cupful

[ kuhp-fool ]

noun

, plural cup·fuls.

1. the amount a cup can hold.
2. Cooking. a volumetric measure equal to 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters); half pint.

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cupful¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, cupful is from the Middle English word cuppefulle. See cup, -ful

Example Sentences

On a recent afternoon, Gérald poured less than a cupful of cooking oil into an old water bottle and handed it to a young boy.

From Seattle Times

Cope asks Truelove if he wants coffee and fetches a small paper cupful before asking about his living situation.

From Los Angeles Times

Each child participated, lowering a cupful into the water and tipping it until the eggs tumbled out and settled on a metal screen.

From Los Angeles Times

"A simple-minded but perfect way to master the movement is to practice outdoors with half a cupful of dried beans."

From Salon

Beat a single egg white, he wrote, and you’ll end up with “a cupful of snowy white foam, a cohesive structure that clings to the bowl when you turn it upside down.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• bowl
• drink
• mug