What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
understuffing
Example
The pillow was under-stuffed, and it felt flat and uncomfortable. [under-stuffed: adjective]
Example
She complained that the sofa cushions were under-stuffed and lacked support. [under-stuffed: past participle]
underfilling
Example
The bottle was under-filled, and it did not contain the amount of liquid advertised. [under-filled: adjective]
Example
He noticed that the bag of chips was under-filled and felt cheated. [under-filled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Underfilling is more commonly used than understuffing in everyday language. Underfilling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while understuffing is less common and refers to a specific type of object.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between understuffing and underfilling?
Both understuffing and underfilling are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversations. However, underfilling may be more commonly used in formal writing when referring to product quality or quantity issues.