mouthful

A mouthful is a quantity of food, drink, or other material that fills the mouth. It is not a precise unit of measurement; the size of a mouthful depends on the object and the person, including chewing ability and preferences. The term is used in everyday language, cooking, and safety guidance.

In eating and culinary contexts, mouthful describes bite-sized portions suitable for chewing and swallowing safely. Chefs and diners often refer to “two mouthfuls” of a sauce or “a mouthful” of bread to indicate portion size, though standards vary by recipe and culture. In tasting or sampling, portions are intentionally small to avoid overwhelming flavors.

In figurative use, mouthful can describe a word, phrase, or sentence that is long or difficult to pronounce or understand. For example, a complex scientific term or a legal clause may be described as a mouthful. The expression emphasizes linguistic difficulty rather than physical quantity.

Etymology: mouthful comes from the combination of mouth and full, dating from Middle English. It reflects the idea of a portion large enough to fill the mouth.

Safety and health: swallowing a mouthful that is too large can increase choking risk, so people are advised to take smaller bites, especially children and older adults. The concept also appears in nutrition guidance to encourage mindful chewing and safe swallowing.