1 B1 informal
To fill a space with so many objects that it becomes untidy and difficult to use.
"Old magazines and boxes were cluttering up the hallway, making it impossible to walk through."
separable
clutter up
B1 informal separable transitive
To fill a space with too many unnecessary or untidy objects, making it difficult to use.
In plain English
To fill a room or place with too much stuff so there is no room for anything else.
What does "clutter up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To fill a system, inbox, or mental space with too much unwanted information or material.
"Don't let unnecessary notifications clutter up your phone screen."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fill completely ('up') with clutter ('clutter') — too many messy, unwanted objects.
Actually means
To fill a room or place with too much stuff so there is no room for anything else.
Usage tip
Common in everyday British and American English. The 'up' particle intensifies the sense of excess — the space is completely overwhelmed with objects. Often used disapprovingly. 'Clutter' as a noun refers to the accumulated mess itself.
Words that pair with "clutter up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
desk room inbox house kitchen mind
How to conjugate "clutter up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clutter up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clutters up
he/she/it
Past simple
cluttered up
yesterday
Past participle
cluttered up
have + pp
-ing form
cluttering up
continuous
Hear "clutter up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clutter up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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