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Meaning & use

stuffer

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈstʌfə/
US/ˈstʌfər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablebusiness

    A flyer or leaflet put inside an envelope, newspaper or parcel along with the main contents.

    Grammar: Often part of a compound: a bill stuffer comes in with a monthly statement.

    Patterns

    • a stuffer in something
    • a stuffer for something

    The electric bill came with a stuffer about saving energy.

    The publisher put a subscription stuffer in every copy.

    Our shop slipped a discount stuffer into each online order.

  2. nouncountableinformalAmerican

    A small, inexpensive present that is tucked into a Christmas stocking.

    Grammar: Almost always used as stocking stuffer, but the short form works in casual speech.

    Patterns

    • a stocking stuffer

    A tube of lip balm makes a nice stuffer for your sister.

    He bought a handful of cheap stuffers for the kids' stockings.

    These little puzzles are perfect stuffers.

  3. nouncountable

    A person or tool that fills something, such as a sausage casing or a toy, with material.

    Grammar: Usually joined to what is being filled: a sausage stuffer, a turkey stuffer.

    Patterns

    • a stuffer for something

    We borrowed a sausage stuffer to make our own bratwurst.

    The factory hired a stuffer to fill the cushions.

    He used a manual stuffer to pack the casings evenly.

Word forms

pluralstuffers

Common combinations

stocking stuffer
A small candle is a classic stocking stuffer.
bill stuffer
The bank's bill stuffer announced new fees.
statement stuffer
The statement stuffer offered a free trial.
envelope stuffer
She worked as an envelope stuffer at the print shop.
sausage stuffer
A good sausage stuffer saves a lot of mess.

Synonyms and how they differ

insert
Insert is the neutral, more common word for a loose leaflet placed in a magazine or package.
flyer
A flyer is any single advertising sheet handed out or mailed, while a stuffer is specifically placed inside something.
leaflet
Leaflet is the usual British word and is more general than stuffer.

Word family

stuff verb
to fill something tightly, or to push something into a space
stuffing noun
material used to fill something, or a bread-based filling for poultry
stuffed adjective
filled, as in stuffed peppers or a stuffed toy
stuffy adjective
lacking fresh air, or too formal

Commonly confused: stuffer or stuffing?

stuffer vs stuffing

Stuffing is the filling itself, while a stuffer is the thing or person that does the filling, or an insert in a mailing.

Practice

A small leaflet slipped into the same envelope as your phone bill is called a bill ___.

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