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Meaning & use

shit load

noun, adverb·Advancedvulgarinformal

Last updated

UK/ˈʃɪt ləʊd/
US/ˈʃɪt loʊd/
Usage warning: this word is vulgar. It can hurt or insult people. Learn to recognise it, but avoid using it about anyone.

Meanings

  1. nounsingularvulgarinformal

    A very large amount or number of something, used to emphasize how much there is.

    Grammar: Almost always used in the pattern 'a shit load of + plural or uncountable noun', not on its own.

    Patterns

    • a shit load of something
    • a shit load of work
    • a shit load of people

    We have a shit load of homework to finish before Monday.

    He spent a shit load of money on that car.

    There were a shit load of people at the concert last night.

  2. adverbvulgarinformal

    Very much or to a great degree, used to make a verb stronger.

    Grammar: Informal and emphatic; it comes after the verb or object, as in 'I studied a shit load'.

    Patterns

    • verb + a shit load

    I studied a shit load for that exam and still found it hard.

    She worries a shit load about things she cannot control.

Common combinations

a shit load of money
They must have paid a shit load of money for that house.
a shit load of work
There is a shit load of work waiting for us tomorrow.
a shit load of people
A shit load of people showed up for the free food.
cost a shit load
Fixing the roof is going to cost a shit load.
a shit load better
After the update, the app runs a shit load better.

Synonyms and how they differ

loads
Much milder and safe in most situations; 'loads of' means the same large amount without the rudeness.
tons
Also informal but not offensive, and often used for countable things: 'tons of friends'.
a great deal
Formal and neutral, suitable for writing; it sounds much more serious than this rude phrase.

Word family

shit noun
A rude word for solid waste, also used in many informal expressions.
shitty adjective
Rude and informal, meaning very bad or unpleasant.

Commonly confused: shit load or shedload? shit load or shitload?

shit load vs shedload

A British informal word meaning a large amount but without the swear word; it is much less offensive.

shit load vs shitload

This is the same expression written as one word; the meaning and rudeness are identical.

Practice

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