padding

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "padding" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning "material used for padding, especially to protect or strengthen something." For example, you could say, "The hiking boots I bought had extra padding in the toe and heel area, making them very comfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he was kind, letting pretty Maria Zagrebelna ride on his harrow, as she recalled, and padding the seat with grass for her.The Red Army called him up in 1940, then sent him home because he had no underwear.

The Economist

Days after an awkward joint appearance with Barack Obama, where the Arizona Republican was about as quiet as a John Cage piece, he is launching a political action committee that will prepare a 2010 bid for re-election to the Senate.Mr McCain won his home state against Mr Obama, but Democrats had started to speculate about challenging him and padding their majority in the upper house.

The Economist

In shop trials in America, customers were happy to pay at the till by typing in their phone numbers and secret code.PayPal is also padding out its virtual wallet with other bank-like features such as loans.

The Economist

But Mr de la Rua has also announced that he wants to hold a referendum in November on slimming the political system.Argentina's politicians are notorious for padding the payrolls of legislatures, both national and provincial, with their hangers-on.

The Economist

Last week, for example, a Green member of parliament, Noel Mamère, accused President Jacques Chirac of padding electoral rolls when he was mayor of Paris (and was promptly reprimanded for abusing parliamentary privilege).

The Economist

Their clients can only dream of past glories of old colonials sitting on a terrace, sipping a "stengah" (whisky and soda) in the inky tropical night; the air thick with the scent of the frangipani and loud with cicadas; barefoot maidens in sarongs padding softly to their bidding, and a ceiling fan scattering the mosquitos.Dream on but avoid Macau's Bela Vista.

The Economist

When Morocco insisted on padding the electoral roll with 100,000 suspect names, Polisario withdrew from the registration process altogether, putting the whole peace plan in jeopardy.Yet with Mr Baker on the scene, the two sides are eager to prove their good faith.

The Economist

So youngsters spend ages padding out their CVs and prepping for exams especially for the test taken at 18 which determines your university.This seems like a small thing, and many Western countries would kill to have South Korea's problem: it is hard to imagine British or American parents fretting that their teenagers work too hard.

The Economist

It frets about cross-subsidies, saying that the burden of fees for exceeding credit limits falls on the young and the poor, who are in effect padding the accounts of the rich (and, although it does not say so, the careful).

The Economist

When and why did the monks inter these sculptures and why with such apparent care, padding them with reed mats and sprinkling coins in the mass grave?The sculptures themselves offer few clues.

The Economist

Padding around the stage in bare feet, the actors seem vulnerable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the physical properties of an object, such as furniture or clothing, use "padding" to emphasize the material's cushioning or protective function.

Common error

Avoid using "padding" as a general term for unnecessary content. Be specific about what kind of excess information or fluff you're referring to, and choose words like "embellishment" or "filler" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

Padding functions primarily as a noun, referring to a material used for cushioning, protection, or adding bulk. It can also describe unnecessary additions to text or data. Ludwig AI indicates that this term is grammatically sound and frequently encountered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "padding" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun. It describes both physical cushioning and superfluous additions to content. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains. While its register is generally neutral, context dictates formality. Be mindful of overuse in writing; specificity enhances clarity. The provided examples from Ludwig illustrate the diverse applications of "padding" across news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, confirming its wide applicability in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cushioning material

Refers specifically to the material used for cushioning, emphasizing its protective quality.

stuffing

Implies filling something, often with a soft material, to make it fuller or more comfortable.

insulation

Focuses on the function of preventing heat loss or gain, similar to "padding" but with a specific purpose.

wadding

Suggests a soft mass or layer of material used for protection or stuffing.

filler material

Highlights the use of material to fill space, potentially unnecessarily.

extraneous detail

Refers to unnecessary additions, specifically in writing or speech.

unnecessary embellishment

Indicates the addition of details that are not essential and may be excessive.

gratuitous additions

Emphasizes that the additions are uncalled for and possibly unwelcome.

inflated content

Suggests that the content has been expanded unnecessarily, often to deceive.

superfluous information

Highlights that the information is beyond what is required or necessary.

FAQs

How to use "padding" in a sentence?

You can use "padding" to describe a material that provides cushioning or protection, as in "The jacket has extra "padding" for warmth". Alternatively, it can refer to unnecessary additions in writing or data, like "The report contained too much "padding" and lacked concise information".

What can I say instead of "padding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cushioning material" for physical cushioning or "extraneous detail" or "unnecessary embellishment" when referring to writing or data.

Which is correct, "padding" or "padding out"?

"Padding" can be used as a noun or part of a phrasal verb. "Padding" (noun) refers to the material itself, while "padding out" (phrasal verb) means to add unnecessary content to make something appear more substantial.

What's the difference between "padding" and "filling"?

"Padding" typically implies a layer of soft material used for cushioning or protection, while "filling" can refer to any material used to fill a space, regardless of its softness or protective qualities.