loaf
lohf
Loaf (noun) means a shaped mass of baked bread, or a similarly shaped block of another food. Example: “She bought a warm loaf of sourdough from the bakery.”
noun
1
A shaped mass of baked bread, or a similarly shaped block of another food.
"She bought a warm loaf of sourdough from the bakery."
"He sliced the meatloaf like a loaf of bread."
verb
1
To spend time idly instead of working; to laze around.
"They loafed on the porch all afternoon instead of mowing the lawn."
"Stop loafing and help me carry these boxes."
How to use loaf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loaf is a baked block of bread; to loaf is to laze around doing nothing.
Common mistake
The verb ("to loaf around") and the noun (a loaf of bread) look identical but are unrelated in everyday use — context makes clear which one is meant.
Common pairings
a loaf of bread
loaf around
a crusty loaf
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- loafs
- Past tense
- loafed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She bought a warm _____ of sourdough from the bakery.
Etymology
From Old English hlāf ("bread"), the same root that gave us "lord" (originally "loaf-keeper") and "lady" ("loaf-kneader").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for loaf
See all rhymes for loaf →Frequently asked questions
What does “loaf” mean?
The word “loaf” means a shaped mass of baked bread, or a similarly shaped block of another food. In plain terms, a loaf is a baked block of bread; to loaf is to laze around doing nothing.
How do you pronounce “loaf”?
“Loaf” is pronounced lohf (/loʊf/ in IPA).
How do you use “loaf” in a sentence?
Here is “loaf” used in a sentence: “She bought a warm loaf of sourdough from the bakery.”
What part of speech is “loaf”?
Depending on how it is used, “loaf” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “loaf” come from?
The word “loaf” comes from Old English. From Old English hlāf ("bread"), the same root that gave us "lord" (originally "loaf-keeper") and "lady" ("loaf-kneader").
Is “loaf” a common word?
“Loaf” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “loaf” have?
“Loaf” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shaped mass of baked bread, or a similarly shaped block of another food.
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