stu ffed a ni|mal (stuffed animals ) N‑COUNT Stuffed animals are toys that are made of cloth filled with a soft material and which look like animals. [AM ] in BRIT, use soft toy
stu ffed shi rt (stuffed shirts ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone, especially someone with an important position, as a stuffed shirt , you mean that they are extremely formal and old-fashioned. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ In a pinstriped suit he instantly looked like a stuffed shirt.
stu ffed to y (stuffed toys ) N‑COUNT A stuffed toy is the same as a stuffed animal . [AM ] in BRIT, use soft toy
stuff|ing /stʌ f I ŋ/ (stuffings )
1 N‑VAR Stuffing is a mixture of food that is put inside a bird such as a chicken, or a vegetable such as a pepper, before it is cooked. □ Chestnuts can be used at Christmas time, as a stuffing for turkey, guinea fowl or chicken.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Stuffing is material that is used to fill things such as cushions or toys in order to make them firm or solid.
stuffy /stʌ fi/ (stuffier , stuffiest )
1 ADJ Stuffy people or institutions are formal and old-fashioned. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Why were grown-ups always so stuffy and slow to recognize good ideas? □ …a firm of lawyers in Lincoln's Inn, immensely stuffy and respectable.
2 ADJ If it is stuffy in a place, it is unpleasantly warm and there is not enough fresh air. □ It was hot and stuffy in the classroom.
stul|ti|fy /stʌ lt I fa I / (stultifies , stultifying , stultified ) VERB If something stultifies you, it makes you feel empty or dull in your mind, because it is so boring. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] This attitude stultifies scientific progress. ● stul|ti|fy|ing ADJ □ A rigid routine can be stultifying and boring.
stum|ble /stʌ mb ə l/ (stumbles , stumbling , stumbled )
1 VERB If you stumble , you put your foot down awkwardly while you are walking or running and nearly fall over. □ [V ] He stumbled and almost fell. □ [V prep/adv] I stumbled into the phone box and dialled 999. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Stumble is also a noun. □ I make it into the darkness with only one stumble.
2 VERB If you stumble while you are reading aloud or speaking, you make a mistake, and have to pause before saying the words properly. □ [V + over ] …his voice wavered and he stumbled over the words at one point. [Also V ]
▸ stumble across or stumble on PHRASAL VERB If you stumble across something or stumble on it, you find it or discover it unexpectedly. □ [V P n] I stumbled across a simple method for understanding where my money went. □ [V P n] History relates that they stumbled on a magnificent waterfall.
stu m|bling block (stumbling blocks ) N‑COUNT A stumbling block is a problem which stops you from achieving something. □ [+ to/in ] His lack of speed is a major stumbling block to a Premiership return.
stump /stʌ mp/ (stumps , stumping , stumped )
1 N‑COUNT A stump is a small part of something that remains when the rest of it has been removed or broken off. □ If you have a tree stump, check it for fungus. □ [+ of ] The tramp produced a stump of candle from his deep pockets.
2 N‑COUNT In cricket, the stumps are the three wooden sticks that are placed upright in the ground to form the wicket.
3 VERB If you are stumped by a question or problem, you cannot think of any solution or answer to it. □ [be V -ed] John is stumped by an unexpected question. □ [V n] Well, maybe I stumped you on that one.
4 VERB If politicians stump the country or stump for a candidate, they travel around making campaign speeches before an election. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] He stumped the country for reform of Parliament. □ [V + for ] This week she's been stumping for candidates in the American midterm elections. [Also V ]
5 PHRASE If politicians are on the stump , they are campaigning for an election. [mainly AM ] □ The presidential candidates are on the stump today.
▸ stump up PHRASAL VERB If you stump up a sum of money, you pay it, often unwillingly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Customers do not have to stump up any cash for at least four weeks. [Also V P ]
stumpy /stʌ mpi/ ADJ Stumpy things are short and thick. □ Does this dress make my legs look too stumpy?
stun /stʌ n/ (stuns , stunning , stunned )
1 VERB [usu passive] If you are stunned by something, you are extremely shocked or surprised by it and are therefore unable to speak or do anything. □ [be V -ed] Many cinema-goers were stunned by the film's violent and tragic end. ● stunned ADJ □ When they told me she had gone missing I was totally stunned.
2 VERB If something such as a blow on the head stuns you, it makes you unconscious or confused and unsteady. □ [V n] Sam stood his ground and got a blow that stunned him.
3 → see also stunning
stung /stʌ ŋ/ Stung is the past tense and past participle of sting .
stu n gun (stun guns ) N‑COUNT A stun gun is a device that can immobilize a person or animal for a short time without causing them serious injury.
stunk /stʌ ŋk/ Stunk is the past participle of stink .
stun|ner /stʌ nə r / (stunners ) N‑COUNT A stunner is an extremely attractive woman. [INFORMAL ] □ One of the girls was an absolute stunner.