capful

American

[kap-fool] / ˈkæp fʊl /

noun

plural

capfuls

the amount that a cap will hold.

Spelling

See -ful.

Etymology

Origin of capful

First recorded in 1710–20; cap ¹ + -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.

Mix one capful of a clear hand dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn, with about two cups of lukewarm water.

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2023

Now, researchers have shown that with a capful of dirt, they can sequence genetic material from across a whole genome—the nuclear DNA, which provides much more information about a species.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 12, 2021

We had a demijohn holding a gallon of fresh water and our ration was one capful – about three teaspoons – a day.

From The Guardian • Aug. 16, 2019

Gosman Kabirov, an environmental activist from the nearby town of Chelyabinsk, poured a capful of the raspberry syrup onto a piece of cardboard and held his radioactivity dosimeter up to it.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2018

I take the bleach, pour a capful into the bucket of water so I can mop.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023