filled to overflowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled to overflowing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a container which has been filled to the brim with something, and is about to spill over. For example, "The soup bowl was filled to overflowing with creamy tomato bisque."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Pension seminars are filled to overflowing.

The New York Times

Aisles that had been passable were filled to overflowing.

The New York Times

My new-experience tank had filled to overflowing.

The New York Times - Travel

Thisbeing an Anderson film, the setsare filled to overflowing with telltaleprops, each handmade to hisexact specifications.

The New York Times

Rather, a glass placed in a large red-and-black lacquered masu (square cup measure), is filled to overflowing.

The New York Times - Travel

The streets are crowded with excited, holiday-making throngs, and the hotel lobbies are filled to overflowing with chattering, cheering mobs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Whatever its flaws, Auburn has created a great part, which Paltrow fills to overflowing.

The Guardian

The Shacklewell Arms tent fills to overflowing for the thrillingly volatile Fat White Family.

The Guardian - Music

In about five years, when the bin fills to overflowing, its contents will be sent to the local landfill to be unearthed in one billion years by whatever species it is that supplants us.

The Guardian - Tech

"I smile as I give my children hugs and send them off to school; it's only after they turn their backs to me that my eyes fill to overflowing with the knowledge that they are just as much at risk as I am.

The New York Times

It takes a while for greater material differences to make the social hierarchy steeper, for status competition and consumerism to increase, for people to feel a greater sense of superiority or inferiority, for prejudices towards those lower on the social ladder to harden, for prisons to fill to overflowing under the impact of more punitive sentencing, and for people to seek ­solace in drugs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled to overflowing" to vividly describe a state of abundance, ensuring that your subject is not merely full but excessively so.

Common error

While effective, avoid overusing "filled to overflowing" in formal or technical writing; opt for more precise language if a less emphatic description is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled to overflowing" typically functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of being completely full and abundant, often suggesting an excess. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "filled to overflowing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that vividly describes a state of abundance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While versatile, its neutral to slightly informal register makes it best suited for news, general writing, and less formal contexts. The phrase's primary function is to emphasize not just fullness but a state of excess. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as options like "brimming with" or "packed to the rafters" offer subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brimming with

Focuses on the state of being full to the point where the content is nearly spilling over.

overflowing with

Emphasizes the action of spilling over due to being excessively full.

packed to the rafters

Specifically describes a space filled to its maximum capacity, often referring to buildings or rooms.

full to the brim

Indicates a state of being completely filled to the top edge.

teeming with

Suggests an abundance of something, often living things, that fills a space.

awash in

Implies being completely covered or overwhelmed by something abundant.

saturated with

Describes a state of being completely soaked or permeated with something.

loaded with

Indicates a heavy filling or burden of something.

bursting with

Conveys a sense of being so full that it's on the verge of exploding or breaking open.

replete with

Suggests a state of being fully or abundantly provided with something.

FAQs

What does "filled to overflowing" mean?

The phrase "filled to overflowing" describes something that is completely full and possibly spilling over. It emphasizes abundance and being filled beyond capacity.

How can I use "filled to overflowing" in a sentence?

You might say, "The stadium was filled to overflowing with excited fans" or "Her heart was filled to overflowing with joy."

What can I say instead of "filled to overflowing"?

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

Is it correct to say "full to overflowing" instead of "filled to overflowing"?

While "full to overflowing" is understandable, "filled to overflowing" is more common and grammatically standard. The former sounds slightly less natural.