loaf 1 of 2

loaf

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noun

British slang

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb loaf differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of loaf are idle, laze, loll, and lounge. While all these words mean "to spend time doing nothing," loaf suggests either resting or wandering about as though there were nothing to do.

she does her work and then loafs the rest of the day

When is idle a more appropriate choice than loaf?

The words idle and loaf can be used in similar contexts, but idle may be used in reference to persons that move lazily or without purpose.

idled the day away

Where would laze be a reasonable alternative to loaf?

Although the words laze and loaf have much in common, laze usually implies the relaxation of a busy person enjoying a vacation or moments of leisure.

lazed about between appointments

When can loll be used instead of loaf?

The words loll and loaf are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loll also carries an implication of a posture similar to that of lounge, but places greater stress upon an indolent or relaxed attitude.

lolling on the couch

When could lounge be used to replace loaf?

The meanings of lounge and loaf largely overlap; however, lounge, though occasionally used as equal to idle or loaf, typically conveys an additional implication of resting or reclining against a support or of physical comfort and ease in relaxation.

he lounged against the wall

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loaf
Verb
Matthes, an ecologist who works with Friends of the Koala, grew up naming the koalas that loafed around in her backyard. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024 Days here can start with a character breakfast and a five-minute motor coach ride to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot; or can just as easily be filled loafing around the resort’s own 18-hole golf course, spa, and five-acre water park with slides, a splash zone, lazy river, and an adults-only pool. Nina Kokotas Hahn, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2023
Noun
The Le Creuset mauve pink collection features classic cast iron skillets, loaf pans, and more! Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2024 Hitting Bread Against Walls: This Irish tradition involves banging a loaf of bread against walls on New Year's Eve. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for loaf 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loaf
Verb
  • Picture a disheveled gambler, with his empty pockets sticking out, trying to bum a smoke from someone on the Las Vegas strip.
    Jay Paris, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
  • When someone in the music industry told him that Deconstruction had already broken up, the news deeply bummed him out.
    Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The skull emoji, for example, evokes death and decay to many people.
    Aarushi Bhandari, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
  • For tension headaches, emphasize the temples, base of the skull, jaw muscles, and neck.6 3.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This one is packed with noodles, Italian sausage, mozzarella, and ricotta.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Serve with cooked vermicelli noodles, mint and Thai basil.
    Luke Fortney, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Looking like the cross between a spermatozoon and a tadpole, this needy, frail little infant is wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes, resting on the dresser and then the drawer of poor Jack Nance’s apartment in an industrial hellscape.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Athletes or those in particularly good shape often have resting pulses below that 60 threshold.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • These cognitive changes are consistent with reductions in gray matter volume during pregnancy.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In contrast to the reductions in gray matter, the study noted increases in white matter microstructural integrity, particularly during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
    William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Lou lounged in her doggy bed with a blanket wrapped around her.
    Liz O'Connell, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Crocodiles lounged in the shallows, their eyes glinting when headlamps were shined their way.
    Charlie Cordero, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Foreman theater answered this call by creating dreamscapes that eluded our intellect’s mania for control.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Hubert began gifting his fellow Orc with temporary intellect, which nearly caused an uprising amongst his clansmen.
    Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Plus: What better way for locals to veg out during a stressful election season than with some grade-A on-screen drama?
    Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024
  • This isn't only a place to veg out, though.
    Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2023

Thesaurus Entries Near loaf

Cite this Entry

“Loaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loaf. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loaf

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