cartload: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Informal, literary, sometimes humorous
Quick answer
What does “cartload” mean?
The amount a cart can carry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The amount a cart can carry; a large, often unwieldy quantity.
Used informally to describe an excessive, burdensome, or overwhelming amount of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it similarly. 'Cartload' is slightly more archaic/literary in both. US may have a slight preference for 'truckload' in modern informal contexts.
Connotations
Connotes old-fashioned, rustic, or exaggerated imagery. Implies a cumbersome or ridiculous quantity.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. More likely found in writing (literature, journalism) than spontaneous speech.
Grammar
How to Use “cartload” in a Sentence
[determiner] + cartload + of + [uncountable noun / plural noun] (e.g., a cartload of trouble/bricks)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal/vivid: 'The new regulations brought a cartload of paperwork.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical texts discussing agrarian economies or literary analysis.
Everyday
Informal/humorous exaggeration: 'I've got a cartload of laundry to fold.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers. Historical/agricultural contexts only.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cartload”
- Using it as a precise unit of measurement (incorrect: *'The shipment was three cartloads.').
- Misspelling as 'cardload' or 'cartlod'.
- Using with countable nouns without 'of' (incorrect: *'a cartload troubles').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is an informal, imprecise term for a large amount, not a standardised unit.
They are synonymous in metaphorical use. 'Cartload' is more old-fashioned/literary; 'truckload' is more modern and common in American English.
Yes, but it often retains a slight connotation of excess or burden. e.g., 'a cartload of presents' suggests almost too many to handle.
It is a single, compound word: 'cartload'. The spelling 'cart load' (two words) is less common and usually refers to a specific load on a specific cart.
The amount a cart can carry.
Cartload is usually informal, literary, sometimes humorous in register.
Cartload: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːt.ləʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrt.loʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cost a cartload (informal, rare)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old wooden CART, overLOADed with hay, about to break. CART + LOAD = a huge, burdensome amount.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS WEIGHT / BURDEN (e.g., 'a cartload of problems' frames abstract problems as a heavy physical load).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'cartload' used CORRECTLY?