loaf 1 of 2

verb

Definition of loafnext
as in to bum
to spend time doing nothing the kind of sultry August afternoon that makes you just want to loaf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

loaf

2 of 2

noun

British slang
as in skull

Related Words

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

Example 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
Commenters debated whether certain dog breeds were more prone to loafing and stretching in this way. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 More strikingly, people all over the county were actually seeing mountain lions, not only in their high beams at night but in broad daylight, with increasing regularity: crossing the road, loafing at the edge of a fenced field, skirting a campground. —Malcolm Brooks Malcolm Hillgartner Krish Seenivasan Zak Mouton, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
Also, slices of pistachio-chocolate loaf should be joining the banana bread and lemon loaf in the display case. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 Italian and garlic-flavored bread costs $12 a loaf. —Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loaf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loaf
  1. bum
  2. skull
  3. rest
  4. gray matter
  5. lounge
  6. intellect
  7. veg out
  8. intelligence
Verb
  • Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Rittenhouse admits to initially being bummed out to not be the murderer, only to quickly come around to preferring this outcome.
    — Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of bum
Noun
  • Our approach to understanding the meat computers encased in our skulls has historically varied by discipline.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Mexican immigrant Alberto Castañeda Mondragón suffered eight skull fractures and brain hemorrhages after being beaten by ICE agents during arrest in Minnesota.
    — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of skull
Verb
  • The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • There have been no such incidents this year, but there has been plenty of on-court drama that only international team tennis — with home and away ties, and a slot just after a Grand Slam that sees many nations’ top stars resting — can provide.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • The researchers found that those who passed the exam had an increase in gray matter and enhanced memory.
    — Amanda Gardner, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
  • White matter, so named because of a pale, fatty substance called myelin that wraps the bundles of nerves, carries information between gray matter areas like highways in the brain.
    — Christopher M. Filley, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of gray matter
Verb
  • Another attractive feature is the chair’s subtly oversized seat that’s ideal for lounging or reading.
    — Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The soft, lightweight fabric is super breathable, maximizing your lounging comfort.
    — John Monaco, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of lounge
Noun
  • Duncan will recur as Mimir, a cheery fellow from Celtic lands with an expansive intellect, a quick wit and a good head on his shoulders.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
  • What came to him naturally was his intellect.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of intellect
Verb
  • Just take care of your[self], and veg out.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
  • This set is damn near professional-wear, with a blazer-style top and contrast piping for those who like to veg out with dignity.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of veg out
Noun
  • Israeli intelligence expert Sima Shein has warned that negotiations narrowly focused on nuclear restrictions could leave Israel exposed.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The feed was sent directly to Russian intelligence.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of intelligence

Browse Nearby Words

load up on
loaf
loafed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loaf. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on loaf

Nglish: Translation of loaf for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loaf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All