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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | estoffe, from estoffer 'to provide with things needed' |
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stuff1 S1 W3
[uncountable]
[uncountable]1 used when you are talking about things such as substances, materials, or groups of objects when you do not know what they are called, or it is not important to say exactly what they are : 
I've got some sticky stuff on my shoe.How do you think you're going to fit all that stuff into the car? I felt sorry for the ones who had to eat the awful stuff. Where's all the camping stuff?
things
informalI've got some sticky stuff on my shoe.How do you think you're going to fit all that stuff into the car?I felt sorry for the ones who had to eat the awful stuff.Where's all the camping stuff?3 used when talking about different activities, subjects, or ideas, when you do not say exactly what these are : What kind of stuff do you like to read? I've got so much stuff to do this weekend. There's a lot of interesting stuff in this book.
activities/ideas
informalWhat kind of stuff do you like to read?I've got so much stuff to do this weekend.There's a lot of interesting stuff in this book.4 used when you are talking about what someone has done or made, for example writing, music, or art : I don't like his stuff. John Lee was getting ready to play his stuff. He did some great stuff in his early films.
work/art
informalI don't like his stuff.John Lee was getting ready to play his stuff.He did some great stuff in his early films.5 used to say that there are other things similar to what you have just mentioned, but you are not going to say what they are : There's some very good music there, CD systems and stuff, and laser discs.
... and stuff
spoken informalThere's some very good music there, CD systems and stuff, and laser discs.6 exactly the kind of thing that dreams etc consist of : an enchanting place - the very stuff of dreams
the (very) stuff of dreams/life/politics
XXan enchanting place - the very stuff of dreams7 the qualities of someone's character : Surely you're not going to give up? I thought you were made of sterner stuff (=were more determined).
character
Surely you're not going to give up? I thought you were made of sterner stuff (=were more determined).8 to do what you are good at when everyone wants you to do it : Come on Gina, get on the dance floor and do your stuff!
do/show your stuff
informalCome on Gina, get on the dance floor and do your stuff!
