French word

engouffrer

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃gufʁe/

Meaning

  • verbstuff

Example

Il engouffre ses vêtements dans la valise.

He stuffs his clothes into the suitcase.

Illustration for engouffrer (stuff)

More examples

Il engouffre son petit-déjeuner avant de prendre le train.

He wolfs down his breakfast before taking the train.

Core concept

A forceful movement into a narrow opening, as if a hollow space pulls in or swallows what enters.

Common phrases

  • engouffrer son petit-déjeuner

    wolf down his breakfast

  • engouffrer son repas sur le pouce

    wolf down his meal on the go

Similar words

fourrer: Shove items or a hand roughly into a bag or gap.
bourrer: Cram things into a space until it is tightly packed.
remplir: Fill a container or space with things or liquid.
entasser: Pile many things together in one place.

Definition in French

Forcer quelque chose à entrer dans un creux, un contenant ou un espace étroit, parfois en suggérant une action d'aspiration ou d'engloutissement.

Word origin

Engouffrer combines the prefix en- with gouffre, meaning an abyss or deep opening, and originally described putting something into such a hollow.

Usage tips

  • Engouffrer takes a direct object, while s'engouffrer commonly takes dans for entering or rushing into a space.

Other meanings

  • suck inverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word