chock-full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chock-full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is filled to capacity or overflowing with items or content. Example: "The basket was chock-full of fresh fruits and vegetables from the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The pipeline is chock-full.

Independent

FORESTS are chock-full of carbon.

The Economist

"It was chock-full," Mrs. Perdue said.

The New York Times

The Park51 board is chock-full of Christians and Jews.

The New York Times

But Shoreditch still isn't chock-full of smart shops.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chock-full of historical references, the narrative reflects substantial research.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It's chock full of looming risks.

The Economist

Horse racing is chock full of clichés.

The New York Times - Sports

Green tea is chock full of umami.

The New York Times

Both were chock full of spies.

The Guardian - Books

For concierges, the calendar is chock full.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chock-full" to emphasize abundance and completeness, making your writing more vivid. For example, instead of saying "the article had many details", say "the article was chock-full of details".

Common error

While "chock-full" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "replete with" or "filled to the brim" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chock-full" functions as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it is completely full or filled to capacity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples show it describing everything from pipelines to forests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chock-full" is a useful and common phrase for describing something that is completely full. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for many writing contexts, although it may be best to avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize abundance, and is used often in news and media. Consider alternatives like "filled to the brim" or "packed with" for variety. The phrase should be used thoughtfully with attention to detail, but with these considerations in place, "chock-full" can be used to enhance written expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filled to the brim

Emphasizes the completeness of the filling, suggesting the content reaches the very top edge.

packed with

Highlights the density of the contents, implying items are tightly arranged.

overflowing with

Stresses the abundance to the point of spilling over.

brimming with

Similar to overflowing, but can also suggest an inner quality like excitement or emotion.

teeming with

Implies liveliness and activity, often used with living things or dynamic elements.

loaded with

Suggests the contents are heavy or significant in some way.

replete with

A more formal way of saying filled or complete, often used in literary contexts.

jam-packed

Informal and emphasizes the crowded nature of the contents.

stuffed with

Suggests the contents have been forcibly packed in.

crammed with

Similar to stuffed, but implies less force and more items.

FAQs

How do you use "chock-full" in a sentence?

Use "chock-full" to describe something that is completely full or filled to capacity. For example: "The magazine is "chock-full" of interesting articles."

What can I say instead of "chock-full"?

You can use alternatives like "filled to the brim", "packed with", or "overflowing with" depending on the context.

Is "chock-full" formal or informal?

"Chock-full" is generally considered informal. While widely understood, it's best to use it in casual writing or speech. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "replete with" or "abundant in".

What is the origin of the word "chock-full"?

The term "chock-full" is an alteration of "chuck-full", meaning completely full. "Chuck" was historically used to mean "full" or "completely". It has evolved to become the hyphenated form "chock-full" that is used today.