loaf Hear it!

loaf¹ Definition

loaf (lōf)

noun pl. loaveslōvz

  1. a portion of bread baked in one piece, commonly of oblong shape and in a size convenient for table use
  2. any mass of food shaped somewhat like a loaf of bread and baked a salmon loaf
  3. lump ()
  4. Brit., Slang head or brain

Etymology: ME lof < OE hlaf, akin to Ger laib, OHG hlaib, ON hleifr, Goth hlaifs

loaf² Definition

☆ loaf (lōf)

intransitive verb

to spend time idly; loiter or lounge about; idle, dawdle, etc.

Etymology: prob. back-form. < loafer

transitive verb

to spend (time) idly: often with away

loaf Synonyms

loaf

n.

dough, roll, twist, bun, pastry, mass, lump, cube; see also bread 1, cake 2.

loaf Synonyms

loaf

v.

  1. To do nothing useful

    idle, trifle, lounge, kill time, be inactive, be unoccupied, be slothful, be indolent, vegetate, dally, take it easy, laze, twiddle the thumbs, not lift a finger, be lazy, loll, malinger, potter, drift, relax, slack, shirk, waste time, slow down, evade, dillydally, sit around, stand around, slack off, fritter time away, dream, let down, goof off*, bum*, goldbrick*, stall*, lollygag*, hand out*, hold up a corner*, piddle*; see also relax 1, rest 1.

  2. To travel at an easy pace

    loiter, stroll, saunter; see walk 1.

loaf Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • bread: There was no money for paint; we swapped a loaf of bread for my first box of pastels.

Converse of object

  • bake: You may have baked the loaf too near the side of the oven.
  • multiply: I preached on our Lord's multiplying the loaves; neither did he send us empty away.
  • slice: The tiny portions of bread were torn from sliced loaves bought at the Co-op.
  • steal: David Way, aged 11, was imprisoned for seven days for stealing seven loaves of bread.
  • buy: The tiny portions of bread were torn from sliced loaves bought at the Co-op.

Adjective modifier

  • 800g: Batches of dough are divided into portions of 400g or 800g loaves at the speed of 125 loaves per minute.
  • crusty: Coburg Round, crusty white loaf with a deeply cut cross on the top.
  • wholemeal: How come then that wholemeal loaves are usually more expensive than white sliced!
  • fruity: They came with the ubiquitous huge slab of nutty, fruity loaf.
  • walnut: I need to make a sponge, and I might try a banana and walnut loaf for melrose [ sorry Katy!
  • moist: This ensures a moist loaf and a more even distribution of the fruit.

Modifies a noun

  • tin: Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin, level the surface then cover with foil.
  • pan: Turn into two well greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans.

Noun used with modifier

  • quartern: In 1823 both charities were distributed as quartern loaves, although Hickman's bequest had specified a money distribution.
  • malt: Instead of cakes or biscuits, try having a currant bun, a slice of melon or some malt loaf with low-fat spread.
  • barley: So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.
  • gallon: The amount of relief to be given was calculated on the price of a gallon loaf of bread ( weighing 8lb.
  • penny: Each recipient having a quarter a pound of meat, potatoes, plum pudding and a penny loaf.
  • banana: DW: I hear you make a delicious banana loaf can we try some?
loaf Quotes

Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern statesmen, it really seems to mean that half a loaf is better than a whole loaf.

—Chesterton, G(ilbert) K(eith)