tubful

A tubful is a nonstandard unit of quantity referring to the amount that fills a tub. Because tubs vary greatly in size, a tubful is inherently imprecise and depends on the container. The term is common in everyday speech and in household contexts, but it is not used as a precise measurement in formal settings.

Etymology and usage: The word is a compound of tub and the suffix -ful, indicating a full container. It is mainly used for approximate quantities of liquids or loose materials stored in tubs, such as water, milk, ice, flour, or cleaning solutions. In practice, a tubful conveys a rough volume rather than a fixed amount.

Size variability and typical ranges: Tubs range from small domestic basins to large industrial vessels, so a tubful can span a wide range of volumes—from a few liters to several hundred liters. In household terms, a tubful of water for a bath roughly corresponds to the amount needed to fill a standard bathtub, often cited around 50–80 gallons (190–300 liters), though actual capacity varies with the tub.

See also: bucketful, gallon, tub (container).