thimbleful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thimbleful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small amount of something, often liquid, that can fit into a thimble. Example: "After the heavy rain, there was only a thimbleful of water left in the bucket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

With its thimbleful of poison, the Goldstone report has made the job all the harder.

The Economist

Arnold Zwicky said it better than I can: "this is not even a tempest in a teapot, it's a fuss in a thimbleful of spit".*It's good to be consistent, and that's why the AP and The Economist (and probably the Washington Post) have something called a style.

The Economist

Accordingly, bird flowers produce nectar copiously a thimbleful in each flower of the coral tree, for example, and as much as a liqueur glassful in flowers of the spear lily (Doryanthus).

Encyclopedia Britannica

I broke off from my journey at the Brys Estate for a thimbleful of Riesling, then felt honour-bound to sample the Pinot Noir at Chateau Chantal.

Independent

But I'm a mystery to my family who will drink wine only by the thimbleful and if it tastes like Vimto, and a lost cause to my in-laws who think that when you uncork a bottle you let the devil out.

Independent

Our arrival marked yet another stage in my winter-sports education: the first time I'd used skis to make my way from A to B. I sipped a thimbleful of glühwein in celebration.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Smell and taste, too, are harnessed to the marketing effort: ouzo, vodka, wine, rum or coffee are arrayed in thimblefuls, alongside slivers of Speck, dollops of ice-cream and fingers of Highland shortbread.The effect resembles the cacophony of promises that leap from the shelves of a supermarket, and so it should.

The Economist

Some are trying to grab thimblefuls of the huge flows of money that wash around the world by concentrating on particular areas, such as cross-border payments (see article).

The Economist

Later, three thimblefuls would serve as a replacement for all other necessary fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

The New Yorker

Pell liked vodka, liked to lingeringly nurse thimblefuls of the stuff in the evening.

The New Yorker

"We're only taking these little thimblefuls of knowledge from the great sea of music," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thimbleful" to add a touch of imagery and specificity when describing a very small quantity, particularly of liquids or fine substances. It's more evocative than simply saying 'a small amount'.

Common error

Avoid using "thimbleful" in formal or technical writing where precise measurements are required. While descriptive, it lacks the accuracy needed in scientific or mathematical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thimbleful" is as a noun, often used as a measure word to quantify a small amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a quantity that can be held by a thimble, effectively serving as a unit of measurement in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thimbleful" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a very small quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to provide a descriptive measure, typically of liquids. Examples are prevalent across various sources, especially within News & Media. While grammatically correct, it's important to recognize its connotations, avoiding its use in contexts demanding precision. While alternative phrasing is available, using the term adds character to descriptions requiring a sense of smallness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiny amount

Emphasizes the smallness of the quantity without referencing a specific container.

minute amount

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

small quantity

A general term for a reduced amount, less specific than "thimbleful".

drop in the bucket

Implies the amount is insignificant compared to a larger whole.

a trace

Indicates a minimal, almost undetectable amount.

a smidgen

Informal term for a very small amount.

a hint

Suggests a subtle presence or small indication.

a speck

Suggests a tiny particle or trace amount.

a dash

Commonly used for adding a small amount of an ingredient.

a modicum

Implies a small but perhaps sufficient amount, often of something abstract.

FAQs

How to use "thimbleful" in a sentence?

"Thimbleful" is a noun that describes a very small quantity, often of a liquid. For example: "He only drank a "thimbleful" of wine."

What can I say instead of "thimbleful"?

You can use alternatives like "tiny amount", "small quantity", or "minute amount" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "thimbleful" or "a bit"?

Both are correct but have different connotations. "Thimbleful" implies an extremely small amount, while "a bit" suggests a slightly larger, less precise quantity.

What's the difference between "thimbleful" and "drop"?

A "drop" usually refers to a single, discrete unit of liquid, whereas "thimbleful" refers to the amount that would fill a thimble. A "thimbleful" could contain many drops.