loaf about
B1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To do nothing useful and just hang around being lazy.
Literal meaning: The verb 'loaf' means to idle; 'about' indicates movement or presence without purpose — like a loaf of bread going nowhere.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To spend time doing nothing productive, idling in a lazy and aimless way.
"He spent the whole summer loafing about the house instead of looking for a job."
Usage notes
Primarily British English. Slightly disapproving in tone — implies wasted time and laziness. Interchangeable with 'loaf around'. The verb 'loaf' on its own also carries this meaning.
Commonly used with
house all day streets weekend home place
Forms
Base
loaf about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
loafs about
he/she/it
Past simple
loafed about
yesterday
Past participle
loafed about
have + pp
-ing form
loafing about
continuous
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Synonyms
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