Pad out Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Overuse Using 'pad out' too much may make your writing seem unfocused or dull. Don't pad out your essay with irrelevant details. Pro Tip 2/3Context Matters 'Pad out' suggests the added material is superfluous and not valuable. His report was good, but he padded it out with unnecessary graphs. Pro Tip 3/3Subjectivity What seems 'padded out' to one person might be detailed to another. Some readers might think the backstory pads out the novel.