a load of laundry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a load of laundry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity of clothes that need to be washed. Example: "I have to do a load of laundry before the weekend so I have clean clothes to wear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Write and fold a load of laundry.

The New York Times

Susan and I did a load of laundry.

The New York Times - Magazine

It also hits your table like a load of laundry.

The Washington Post

What's the carbon footprint of … a load of laundry?

The Guardian

Cook a meal, do a load of laundry?

The New York Times

Added to a load of laundry, it provides any fabric with an S.P.F. of 30, which lasts for 20 washes.

The New York Times - Style

Dixie, meanwhile, takes a load of laundry to the Coin-Op with a mentally retarded neighbor, Frankie Delaney.

The New Yorker

As soon as power comes on, women rush to put in a load of laundry, on the shortest washing cycle.

The New Yorker

The robots Laundroid and FoldiMate will fold a load of laundry on their own — albeit rather slowly.

The New York Times

I did a load of laundry, too," she adds, as if wanting to emphasise the normality of her life.

Independent

"People who work in fashion approach it like they're doing a load of laundry," Mr. Armstrong said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing household chores, use "a load of laundry" to clearly indicate a specific washing task. For example, "I need to do a load of laundry before I can relax."

Common error

Avoid using "a load of laundry" when referring to a single item or a small handful of clothes. This phrase implies a significant quantity that fills a washing machine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a load of laundry" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., do, wash, put in) or the subject of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a load of laundry" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a quantity of clothes washed together. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. The phrase is versatile enough for neutral communication but should be used appropriately to reflect the intended scope, referring to a quantity of clothes that fills a washing machine. While "a batch of clothes" or "a pile of washing" can serve as alternatives, "a load of laundry" remains a clear and familiar way to discuss this household task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a batch of clothes

Replaces "load" with "batch" offering a similar collective term for laundry.

a pile of washing

Substitutes "load of laundry" with "pile of washing", emphasizing the collection of items.

clothes to be washed

Rephrases the phrase to describe clothing items needing to be cleaned.

the laundry washing

Simplifies the phrase, focusing directly on the act of cleaning clothes.

a washing cycle

Highlights the machine's operation for cleaning clothes.

dirty clothes waiting to be cleaned

Emphasizes the need to clean the mentioned clothing.

wash day items

Refers to items typically included in the process of washing clothes.

garments for laundering

A formal alternative specifying the type of items and the action to be performed.

clothing for cleaning

A basic alternative, describing the action planned for clothing.

textiles to wash

Uses the term "textiles" to broadly refer to clothing items.

FAQs

What does "a load of laundry" mean?

The phrase "a load of laundry" refers to a quantity of clothes that are washed together in a washing machine.

How can I include the phrase "a load of laundry" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like, "I have to do "a load of laundry" this weekend" or "She put "a load of laundry" in the washing machine."

What's the difference between ""a load of laundry"" and "a pile of laundry"?

"A load of laundry" typically refers to the amount of clothes you put in a washing machine at one time, while "a pile of laundry" refers to clothes waiting to be washed or that have already been washed.

What can I say instead of ""a load of laundry""?

You can use alternatives like "a batch of clothes" or "clothes to be washed" depending on the context.