loaves

A baker arranges fresh loaves on a wooden shelf.

Definition

1. Noun (plural form of "loaf"):
   • Bread: "loaves" refers to shaped and baked masses of bread, typically of a standard size and form.
   • Sugar: In historical or specialized contexts, "loaves" can denote conical blocks of refined sugar.
   • Cabbage or lettuce: "loaves" may also describe tightly packed, rounded heads of cabbage or lettuce.

Usage Examples

• Bread: (Two shaped, baked units of bread.)
• Sugar: (Conical blocks of sugar.)
• Cabbage: (Tightly packed heads of cabbage.)

Advanced Usage

• "loaves and fishes": a biblical phrase meaning material benefits or worldly advantages, often referring to personal gain or profit.
  • The politician was accused of caring only about loaves and fishes, not the public good. (Material benefits or personal profit.)

Variants and Related Words

• Loaf (noun, singular): a single unit of shaped bread.

  • He bought one loaf of sourdough. (A single bread unit.)

• Loaf (verb): to spend time idly or lazily.

  • They decided to loaf around the park all afternoon. (To be idle or lazy.)

Synonyms

• Bread loaves: rolls, buns, baguettes (specific types of bread units).
• Sugar loaves: cones, blocks (shaped sugar forms).
• Cabbage loaves: heads, bulbs (tightly packed vegetable forms).

Idioms

• "Half a loaf is better than no bread": something is better than nothing.

  • He only got half the payment, but half a loaf is better than no bread. (Accepting less is better than receiving nothing.)

• "Use one's loaf": to use one's intelligence or common sense (British slang).

  • You should use your loaf and check the map before driving. (Use your common sense.)

• "Loaves and fishes": (see Advanced Usage) material benefits or personal gain.