Meaning and usage of the word loaf in English

Meaning of vocabulary loaf

loafnoun

ổ bánh mì

/ləʊf//ləʊf/

Origin of the word loaf

The origins of the word "loaf" can be traced back to Old English, around the 10th century. In Old English, the word was "hlāf," which means "lump" or "mass." The term was used to describe various types of food that were formed into lumps or balls, such as bread, cakes, and pies. The word "hlāf" eventually evolved into "loaf" in Middle English, around the 13th century. The spelling and pronunciation of the word changed over time due to various historical and linguistic factors, such as the Great Vowel Shift, which altered the pronunciation of long vowels in English, and the influence of French and Latin on English vocabulary. The meaning of "loaf" also expanded and narrowed over time. In Old English, the term was more general and could refer to any kind of food that was formed into a lump. In Middle English, "loaf" specifically began to refer to bread that had been kneaded and shaped into a compact mass, though the term continued to be used more generally to refer to other types of food in some contexts. Today, the word "loaf" is most closely associated with bread, particularly in the form of sliced bread that is packaged in a loaf shape. However, the term is still used more generally to describe other types of shaped food, such as meatloaf, pudding loaf, and cake loaf. Overall, the history of "loaf" reflects the evolution of English vocabulary and the ongoing, dynamic nature of language.

Vocabulary summary loaf

typenoun, plural loaves

meaningloaf

exampleto be on the loaf

meaningsugar cone

meaningcabbage roll (a tightly rolled mass of leaves from cabbage or lettuce)

typejournalize

meaningrolled into cabbage or lettuce...

exampleto be on the loaf

Example of vocabulary loafnamespace

  • I went to the bakery this morning and bought a freshly baked bread loaf to make some sandwiches for lunch.
  • The bread loaf had a crusty exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.
  • We toasted some bread loaves and spread them with butter and jam for breakfast.
  • I sliced the bread loaf thinly and served it with tomato soup for dinner.
  • The bread loaf had a sweet aroma that filled the entire kitchen.

Idioms of vocabulary loaf

half a loaf (is better than no bread)
(saying)you should be grateful for something, even if it is not as good, much, etc. as you really wanted; something is better than nothing
  • The offer only amounted to half a loaf, but campaigners grabbed it anyway.
use your loaf
(informal)used to tell somebody to think about something, especially when they have asked for your opinion or said something stupid
  • ‘Why don't you want to see him again?’ ‘Oh, use your loaf!’

Comment ()