Definition

The quantity of items that can be placed on a shelf.

Example

The bookstore has a shelfful of new novels waiting to be displayed.

Conversation

I just bought a new bookshelf, and it can hold a whole shelfful of books.

That's awesome! What kind of books are you planning to put on it?

I'm thinking of filling it with my favorite novels and some cookbooks.

Sounds perfect! A shelfful of good stories is always a great idea.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'shelfful' is formed from 'shelf' (from Old English *scylf*, meaning a flat surface or ledge) and '-ful' (meaning full of). Thus, 'shelfful' means full of shelves or having many shelves.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'shelf' as a flat surface that holds items, and '-ful' means full of — so 'shelfful' describes something that is full of shelves.

Visually Confused Words