Word
haul
US/ˈhɔɫ/
UK/hˈɔːl/
Definitions
01to pull or carry something heavy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to pull or carry something that is very heavy or difficult to move.
v. to pull or drag with great effort or force; often implies the transport of heavy goods over a distance.
“The fishermen had to haul the heavy nets back onto the boat.”
“The salvage crew spent several hours trying to haul the waterlogged debris from the harbour floor before the tide turned.”
Usage
Often used with 'up', 'down', or 'away' to indicate direction.
Antonyms
02to force someone to go somewhere
C1 · Advanced Informal
v. to force someone to go somewhere to be punished or to answer questions.
v. to compel someone to appear for a formal hearing, trial, or disciplinary action.
“The manager hauled him into the office to explain why he was late.”
“The CEO was hauled before the parliamentary committee to testify regarding the company's recent accounting discrepancies.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'haul someone over the coals' or 'haul someone before a judge'.
Teaching tip
This sense carries a strong connotation of authority and lack of choice for the person being moved.
03a collection of items
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a large amount of something that has been stolen, caught, or bought.
n. the quantity of something caught or taken at one time, such as fish, stolen goods, or purchases.
“The thieves left behind most of their haul when the alarm went off.”
“After a successful morning at the local markets, she displayed her haul of vintage clothing and handmade ceramics on the dining table.”
04a shopping video
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing Informal
n. a video where someone shows and talks about things they have recently bought.
n. a social media video format in which a creator displays and reviews a collection of recently purchased items.
“She posted a massive makeup haul on her channel yesterday.”
“The influencer's latest fashion haul garnered millions of views within hours, significantly boosting the featured brand's weekend sales.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier, as in 'haul video'.
Teaching tip
This is a very common term in modern internet culture, particularly on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
05a long distance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a long distance or a task that takes a long time.
n. a distance to be traversed, or a period of sustained effort.
“It is a long haul from the city to the coast, so we should leave early.”
“The recovery process will be a long haul, requiring months of intensive physical therapy and dedicated rest.”
Usage
Commonly found in the idioms 'long haul' and 'short haul'.
Teaching tip
Explain that 'long-haul' is frequently used as an adjective for international flights.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “haul” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Spanish media reports suggest that the charcuterie haul was from Spanish chain supermarket Mercadona.” “Two cars, one van, and six motorcycles later, it’s still the box I haul out to the driveway when something is on the fritz.” Etymology
From Middle English hālen, hailen, haulen, halien (“to drag, pull; to draw up”), from Old French haler (“to haul, pull”), from Frankish halōn (“to drag, fetch, haul”) or Middle Dutch halen (“to drag, fetch, haul”), possibly merging with Old English halian (“to haul, drag”); all from Proto-Germanic halōną, halēną, hulōną (“to call, fetch, summon”), from Proto-Indo-European kelh₁- (“to call, cry, summon”). The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates The word is cognate with Danish hale (“to haul”), Middle Dutch halen (“to draw, fetch, haul”), Dutch halen (“to fetch, bring, haul”), Old Frisian halia, Saterland Frisian halen (“to draw, haul, pull”), Low German halen (“to draw, pull”), Old High German halôn, holôn, German holen (“to fetch, get”), Norwegian hale (“to haul”), Old Saxon halôn (“to fetch, get”), Swedish hala (“to hale, haul, pull, tug”), and related to Old English ġeholian (“to get, obtain”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. haul ass
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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