1 chockablock | Definition of chockablock
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

chockablock

adverb
chock·​a·​block | \ ˈchä-kÉ™-ËŒbläk How to pronounce chockablock (audio) \

Definition of chockablock

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: chock chockablock full

chockablock

adjective

Definition of chockablock (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : brought close together
2 : very full shelves chockablock with books
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about chockablock

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for chockablock

Synonyms: Adjective

brimful, brimming, bursting, chock-full (or chockful), crammed, crowded, fat, filled, full, jam-packed, jammed, loaded, packed, stuffed

Antonyms: Adjective

bare, blank, devoid, empty, stark, vacant, void

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Did You Know?

Adjective

Chockablock started out as a nautical term. A block is a metal or wooden case with one or more pulleys inside. Sometimes, two or more blocks are used (as part of a rope and pulley system called a "block and tackle") to provide a mechanical advantage - as, for example, when hoisting a sail on a traditional sailing ship. When the rope is pulled as far as it will go, the blocks are tight together and are said to be "chockablock." Non-nautical types associated the "chock" in "chockablock" with "chock-full," which goes back to Middle English chokkefull, meaning "full to the limit (a figurative use of "full to choking"). We thus gave "chockablock" the additional meaning "filled up." "Chockablock" can also be an adverb meaning "as close or as completely as possible," as in "families living chockablock" or the seemingly redundant "chockablock full."

Examples of chockablock in a Sentence

Adjective

 the mantel was chockablock with knickknacks

First Known Use of chockablock

Adverb

1799, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for chockablock

chockablock

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of chockablock

: very full

See the full definition for chockablock in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on chockablock

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with chockablock

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chockablock

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!