loaded

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "loaded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is full of or carrying a large amount of something. For example, "The car was loaded with groceries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some voices have been arguing that a band consisting of two white men don't have any right to call themselves Slaves, that the term is racially loaded.

The Guardian - Music

I quite enjoy being around a group as I like to chat between reps but if there's no one there then I'll have my iPod loaded up with a multitude of different songs and genres.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pork could be loaded on to a bun or cut up and eaten on its own.

The Guardian

That one avenger should kill so many people, themselves armed, in such a short space of time would, of course, have been impossible in the days of six-shooter pistols and awkwardly loaded rifles, but set a boy down in a school with a modern assault gun or two and it becomes much more possible, if a boy's thoughts of catharsis should run in that direction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kent police would not say if any of the Fowlers were being questioned or where they recovered the 7.7-tonne white Renault Midlum lorry, which the robbers loaded with cash during last Wednesday's early morning raid.

The Guardian

Obama has tugged at the needle of our moral compasses several times with soundbites loaded with ethical ordnance.

The Guardian

It was only when he loaded the images on to his computer that he discovered the picture of a lifetime.

The Guardian

It said its fighters later found "around 20 gas canisters" that had been loaded onto the truck involved in the attack.

The Guardian

Protesters lined the track and, at Hawick, loaded on a cardboard coffin addressed to the transport minister (which was accepted as a goods parcel) before the train reached Newcastleton, where villagers stood across the line and blocked its passage.

The Guardian

The game ran a playable version of classic shooter Galaxian while it loaded, an idea suggested by producer Yozo Sakagami who once worked on - yes - Galaxian.

The Guardian - Tech

But even when a woman wears a suit in the academic area, she's not immune from similarly loaded and critical assumptions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "loaded" to describe something carrying a physical weight, ensure the context clarifies what the load consists of. For example, "The truck was loaded with supplies."

Common error

Avoid using "loaded" in formal writing where a more precise or professional term might be preferable. For instance, instead of saying "The data is loaded with errors", consider "The data contains numerous errors".

Linguistic Context

The word "loaded" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of being full, burdened, or possessing a particular characteristic to a significant degree. Ludwig examples show it describing physical burdens ("trucks loaded with internet receivers"), emotional states ("soundbites loaded with ethical ordnance"), and financial status ("They see me on Sky news and think, 'Oh, you must be loaded.'").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "loaded" is a versatile adjective with multiple meanings ranging from physically full to emotionally charged, and even financially wealthy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency, especially in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the context: using "loaded" to mean 'drunk' is informal, and more precise terms may be preferable in formal writing. The phrase's wide array of uses, as demonstrated through Ludwig's examples, highlights its importance in the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdened

Highlights the aspect of carrying a heavy load, whether physical or emotional, similar to one sense of "loaded".

charged

Highlights the presence of strong emotions or significance, echoing the "loaded" when it implies emotional weight.

full

Indicates a state of being completely filled, lacking the implication of burden or emotional weight that "loaded" can carry.

fraught

Emphasizes the presence of negative elements or tension, similar to the sense of "loaded" meaning emotionally charged.

wealthy

Refers to possessing great riches, directly reflecting the meaning of "loaded" when used to describe someone with a lot of money.

packed

Focuses on the tight arrangement of items within a space, akin to "loaded" in a physical context.

inebriated

Describes a state of drunkenness, synonymous with one informal sense of "loaded".

replete

Suggests an abundance or fullness, often in a more formal or literary context than "loaded".

biased

Indicates a predisposition or slant, mirroring the "loaded" meaning of being unfairly weighted or influenced.

equipped

Highlights being furnished or supplied, comparable to "loaded" meaning furnished with many options or features.

FAQs

How can I use the word "loaded" in a sentence?

You can use "loaded" to describe something full or carrying a heavy load, like "The car was "loaded with luggage"". It can also mean wealthy, as in "He's "absolutely loaded"".

What's a more formal alternative to saying something is "loaded"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "replete", "full", or "abundant". For example, instead of "The report is "loaded with information"", try "The report is replete with information".

When is it appropriate to use "loaded" to mean drunk?

Using "loaded" to mean drunk is very informal and should only be used in casual conversation or informal writing. In more formal settings, use terms like "intoxicated" or "inebriated".

Is it correct to say a question is "loaded"? What does that mean?

Yes, a "loaded" question is one that contains an assumption or is designed to elicit a particular response. It's a question "fraught with implications" or designed to trap the respondent.