Word
loam
US/ˈɫoʊm/
UK/lˈəʊm/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. rich, soft soil made of sand, silt, and clay mixed together. Plants grow very well in it because it holds water but still lets air through.
n. a fertile soil with balanced proportions of sand, silt, and clay, valued for retaining moisture while draining freely.
Examples
“Tomatoes grow well in rich loam.”
“The gardener mixes compost into the loam to improve drainage before planting vegetables.”
“Centuries of flood deposits left a deep loam that holds water without becoming soggy, allowing the valley farms to thrive even in dry summers.”
Examples
simple
“Tomatoes grow well in rich loam.”
contextual
“The gardener mixes compost into the loam to improve drainage before planting vegetables.”
complex
“Centuries of flood deposits left a deep loam that holds water without becoming soggy, allowing the valley farms to thrive even in dry summers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “loam” in context.
Verb
01. amend loam
“You can amend loam with compost to improve its structure.”
verb + noun
02. dig loam
“We spent the morning digging loam to prepare the new beds.”
verb + noun
03. loam crumbles
“Healthy loam crumbles in your hand instead of forming clods.”
noun + verb
04. loam drains
“Good loam drains quickly yet holds enough moisture for roots.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. clay loam
“The vineyard sits on heavy clay loam that retains moisture well.”
adj + noun
06. fertile loam
“These roses were planted in fertile loam and grew remarkably fast.”
adj + noun
07. friable loam
“Good garden soil should be friable loam that crumbles easily.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bag of loam
“We bought three bags of loam for the raised beds.”
noun + prep + noun
09. bed of loam
“Asparagus needs a deep bed of loam to develop strong roots.”
noun + prep + noun
10. layer of loam
“Cover the seeds with a thin layer of loam and water gently.”
noun + prep + noun
11. bed of rich loam
“The seedlings were transplanted into a bed of rich loam.”
12. improve soil with loam
“You can improve soil with loam and organic matter each spring.”
Real-World Examples
“Regularly adding humus over several years to less-than-ideal soil can transform it into a workable loam.” “They don’t need much attention; nearly all can be saved by slicing the leaf into sections and potting the rooted plantlets individually in quality loam mixed with some coarse, nutrient-rich soil or humus.” Etymology
From Middle English lome, lame, lam, from Old English lām (“clay, mud, mire, earth”), from Proto-West Germanic laim, from Proto-Germanic laimaz, laimô (“clay”), from Proto-Indo-European h₂leyH- (“to smear”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Leem (“loam”), West Frisian liem (“loam”), Dutch leem (“loam”), German Lehm (“loam”). Related also to lime.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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