laden

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "laden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something (usually a person or vehicle) that is carrying a large or heavy load. For example, "The truck was heavily laden with boxes of supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

A handful of luxury tents were grouped around a central area covered in rugs and cushions; a laden dinner table was set to one side.

The Guardian - Travel

It's a bad song, but the announcement was always going to be laden with anticlimax.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Larkin's poem "Maiden Name" concludes that the old name "shelters our faithfulness, / Instead of losing shape and meaning less / With your depreciating luggage laden".

The Guardian - Books

Gonzales says she reads everything about what may have happened to the plane: theories it was hijacked, or laden with lithium-ion batteries that exploded, or otherwise succumbed to foul play.

The Guardian

Instead, Google dispatched its troops – known as "trekkers" – on foot, laden with a camera on their backs that looked like an oversized water-cooler.

The Guardian

A day later in Castaño de Robledo a small table was put outside Paqi's bar and laden with glasses of rough red wine and slices of chorizo, salchica and ham fanned out on a plate like a drift of red and gold autumn leaves.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Stealing Sheep: Not Real Moving away from their so-called pagan-pop debut, the Liverpudlian trio sweep into sparkling, synth-laden artpop territory.

The Guardian - Music

Earlwolf set off car alarms and shook portaloos with their bass-heavy, expletive-laden set, and Friday night headliner Skrillex managed to work up a predictable hubbub over at the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage, but nothing prepared Reading goers for the mayhem that ensued at Chase and Status's Saturday night main stage show.

The Guardian - Music

As two of those injured were named on Wednesday, former Alton Towers employees told the Guardian that a member of staff should not have released a passenger-laden carriage before a test car had made a full run.

The Guardian

"I think we're going to have to break here," says Hegarty sweetly, though I suspect he's relieved to get away from my germ-laden croaking.

The Guardian - Music

Related: The disappeared: Chicago police detain Americans at abuse-laden 'black site' After the Guardian published its story on Tuesday, the Chicago police emailed a statement that did not respond to any of the Guardian's specific questions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "laden" to add a touch of formality or literary flair to your writing. It is particularly effective when describing something carrying a heavy burden or filled with meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "laden" as a verb. "Laden" is primarily an adjective or past participle. Use "loading" or "lading" for the verb form.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "laden" is as an adjective or a past participle. As an adjective, it describes something that is heavily loaded or burdened. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying nouns like "table" or describing abstract concepts like comments "laden with deeper meaning".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

15%

Books

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laden" is a versatile word primarily used as an adjective or past participle to describe something carrying a heavy load, both physically and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "filled with" and "burdened with" exist, "laden" adds a touch of formality and literary flair. Remember to avoid confusing it with the verb form "loading". By using "laden" effectively, you can enhance your writing with vivid imagery and a sense of depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

full of

A simple and direct way to indicate a state of being filled.

weighed down by

Highlights the physical or emotional heaviness.

burdened with

Emphasizes the feeling of being weighed down by a heavy load or responsibility.

filled with

Focuses on the content rather than the weight or burden.

packed with

Implies a dense and full state.

crammed with

Emphasizes the act of being tightly packed or filled.

overflowing with

Suggests an abundance that exceeds capacity.

replete with

A more formal way of saying "filled with", often used in literary contexts.

stocked with

Implies a supply or store of something.

teeming with

Suggests an active and abundant presence.

FAQs

How to use "laden" in a sentence?

The word "laden" can be used to describe something carrying a heavy load, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "The table was "laden" with food" or "His voice was "laden" with emotion".

What can I say instead of "laden"?

You can use alternatives like "filled with", "burdened with", or "weighed down by" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "laden" or "loaded"?

"Laden" and "loaded" are both correct, but "laden" often carries a more formal or literary tone. "Loaded" is more commonly used in everyday speech, while "laden" is often preferred in writing when a more evocative or sophisticated word choice is desired.

What's the difference between "laden" and "ladened"?

"Laden" is the more common and preferred form as an adjective or past participle. "Ladened" is an alternative past participle of "lade", but it's less frequently used and can sound somewhat archaic. It is generally best to stick with "laden".