English Reference
adjective

loaded

adj.
US /ˈɫoʊdɪd/ UK /lˈəʊdɪd/ load·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    having a lot of money.

    possessing great wealth; often used to describe someone whose riches are obvious or excessive.

    Simple

    He just bought a private jet, so he must be loaded.

    In context

    The tech entrepreneur became absolutely loaded after his company went public, though he continued to live a relatively modest lifestyle.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Academic

    describing a question or word that is unfair because it forces you to agree with something.

    designed to elicit a specific emotional response or to trap the respondent into an admission.

    Simple

    That is a loaded question because it assumes I have already failed.

    In context

    The journalist was careful to avoid loaded terms that might alienate half of the audience before the interview had even begun.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    having bullets inside a gun.

    containing a live round of ammunition in the chamber or magazine.

    Simple

    Never point a loaded gun at anyone, even if the safety is on.

    In context

    The officer confirmed the weapon was loaded before securing it in the evidence locker for further forensic examination.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Informal Cooking

    covered with a lot of extra ingredients, like cheese or bacon.

    served with a generous amount of additional ingredients or toppings, typically in a culinary context.

    Simple

    I ordered the loaded fries with extra cheese and jalapeños.

    In context

    The restaurant's signature dish is a plate of loaded nachos, piled high with guacamole, sour cream, and spicy ground beef.

    garnishedtopped
  5. 05 C2 Proficiency SlangInformal

    having had too much alcohol.

    highly intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.

    Simple

    They got completely loaded at the party and couldn't find their way home.

    In context

    By the time the midnight toast arrived, several guests were already too loaded to stand up straight for the photograph.

  6. 06 C1 Advanced Literary

    having a lot of hidden meaning or strong feelings behind it.

    carrying strong emotional or cultural connotations that go beyond the literal definition.

    Simple

    There was a loaded silence in the room after she mentioned his name.

    In context

    The poet used loaded imagery to evoke the trauma of the war without ever describing the battlefield directly.

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Toronto Sun· 16 Aug 2026

From load + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated