noun
boatload
BOHT-lohd
Boatload (noun) means the amount of cargo or number of passengers a boat can carry. Example: “A boatload of tourists arrived at the harbor.”
noun
1
The amount of cargo or number of passengers a boat can carry.
"a boatload of ferry passengers"
"A boatload of tourists arrived at the harbor."
2
Informally, a very large amount of something.
"He made a boatload of money on that deal."
How to use boatload
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally what a boat can carry, or informally, a huge amount of anything.
Common pairings
a boatload of money
a boatload of trouble
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Word forms
- Plural
- boatloads
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of tourists arrived at the harbor.
Etymology
From boat plus load; the informal "large amount" sense grew out of the literal one.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for boatload
See all rhymes for boatload →Frequently asked questions
What does “boatload” mean?
The word “boatload” means the amount of cargo or number of passengers a boat can carry. In plain terms, literally what a boat can carry, or informally, a huge amount of anything.
How do you pronounce “boatload”?
“Boatload” is pronounced BOHT-lohd (/ˈboʊtˌloʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “boatload” in a sentence?
Here is “boatload” used in a sentence: “A boatload of tourists arrived at the harbor.”
What part of speech is “boatload”?
“Boatload” is a noun.
How many meanings does “boatload” have?
“Boatload” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the amount of cargo or number of passengers a boat can carry.
