filling

/ˈfɪlɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɪlɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfi-liŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfɪl.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɪl.ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)

filling — noun

  • fillingsingular
  • fillingsplural

1. soft material that is put inside an object — such as a cushion, pillow, toy, or

1.名詞B1
釋義

soft material that is put inside an object — such as a cushion, pillow, toy, or coat — to give it shape, support, or warmth.

例句

The cushion's filling is made of soft polyester fibres that hold their shape well.

collocation: cushion filling + material type

Noa replaced the old cotton filling inside her winter coat after it went flat.

同義詞
  • stuffing

    used for soft toys, pillows, and cushions; 'stuffing' often implies material pushed tightly into a space

  • padding

    thin protective material (in clothing, furniture); 'padding' is usually a layer rather than a full inner mass

  • filler

    broader term; can refer to any substance added to fill gaps, including in construction, cosmetics, or writing

文法句型

filling + of + material

用法筆記

Often combined with a material name — 'down filling', 'cotton filling', 'foam filling' — to specify the type of filler used.

常見錯誤

❌The pillow's filler has gone flat.
✅The pillow's filling has gone flat.
💡'filler' usually refers to a substance added to improve or extend another material; 'filling' is the material already inside.
❌I need filling for my coat from the tailor.
✅I need new filling for my coat.
💡'filling' is uncountable here; don't use 'a filling' unless referring to a dental filling.

2. a mixture of food placed between slices of bread, inside a pastry, between layer

2.名詞A2
釋義

a mixture of food placed between slices of bread, inside a pastry, between layers of cake, or inside other dishes to add flavour and texture.

例句

Quan ordered a sandwich with tuna and sweetcorn filling for lunch.

collocation: sandwich filling

The pie had a warm apple and cinnamon filling that smelled delicious.

同義詞
  • stuffing

    specifically savoury mixture put inside poultry, vegetables, or dumplings before cooking; 'stuffing' is always cooked inside, while 'filling' can be added after

  • topping

    placed on top of a dish, not inside; 'topping' sits on the surface

文法句型

filling + for/in + dish

用法筆記

Can be countable ('three different fillings') or uncountable ('This cake has too much filling'). Common in compound nouns: 'pie filling', 'sandwich filling', 'dumpling filling'.

常見錯誤

❌The topping of this pie is apple.
✅The filling of this pie is apple.
💡'topping' goes on top; 'filling' goes inside.

3. a hard substance that a dentist places into a decayed part of a tooth to repair

3.名詞B1
釋義

a hard substance that a dentist places into a decayed part of a tooth to repair the damage and stop the cavity from getting worse.

例句

Élise went to the dentist to get a new filling in her back molar.

pattern: get a filling

The dentist said the old filling in Christopher's tooth had cracked and needed replacing.

同義詞
  • dental filling

    the full name; adds clarity in formal or clinical contexts

  • crown

    a cap that covers the whole tooth; a filling only fills a cavity

文法句型

have/get + a + filling

用法筆記

Frequently passive: 'got a filling', 'had a filling put in'. The phrase 'a filling' in conversation almost always refers to a dental filling unless context makes another meaning clear.

常見錯誤

❌I need to fill my tooth at the dentist.
✅I need a filling at the dentist.
💡'fill a tooth' is not wrong, but 'get a filling' is the natural expression.
❌My filling fell.
✅My filling fell out.
💡requires the particle 'out' to describe the filling becoming loose.

filling — adjective