lade
C2Archaic, Literary, Technical (Maritime)
Definition
Meaning
To load or put a cargo onto a ship or vehicle; to put a burden upon someone or something.
To dip or draw (a liquid, especially with a ladle); to burden or weigh down; to be heavily laden.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'lade' is largely archaic in general use. Its past participle 'laden' is far more common, primarily used as an adjective (e.g., 'a heavily laden truck'). In modern English, 'load' has almost completely replaced 'lade' in its core verbal sense. It survives in specific compounds and set phrases.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally archaic and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Poetic, old-fashioned, or technical. In both regions, it evokes historical or literary contexts, or specific industries like shipping.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, with 'laden' being the only form a typical speaker might encounter.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] lade [Object] (with [Noun])[Subject] lade [Noun] onto/into [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Laden with grief/sorrow (uses the participle 'laden').”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. 'Load' is standard for logistics and shipping contexts.
Academic
May appear in historical texts or analyses of older literature.
Everyday
Not used. A learner will not encounter it in casual conversation.
Technical
Possibly in very archaic or poetic maritime contexts, but 'load' is the technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The dockworkers would lade the coal into the ship's hold.
- He used a wooden bowl to lade water from the well.
American English
- The crew worked to lade the vessel with timber.
- She began to lade the stew into bowls for the guests.
adverb
British English
- No adverbial form.
American English
- No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No modern adjectival use of 'lade'. The adjective is 'laden'.
American English
- No modern adjectival use of 'lade'. The adjective is 'laden'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable - word is beyond A2 level.)
- (Not recommended for B1. Teach 'load' instead.)
- The old text described how to lade a merchant ship.
- Trees were laden with fruit after the rainy summer.
- The poet felt himself lade with the burdens of office.
- Archaeologists found pots used to lade grain in the ancient port.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **ladle** used to scoop liquid; 'lade' historically meant to dip or draw liquid. Also, 'lade' sounds like 'laid' – cargo is *laid* onto a ship.
Conceptual Metaphor
BURDEN IS WEIGHT / RESPONSIBILITY IS A LOAD (via 'laden').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'lad' (парень).
- The Russian verb 'грузить' is almost always translated as 'load', not 'lade'.
- The adjective 'laden' is more important to learn than the verb 'lade'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lade' in modern, everyday contexts instead of 'load'.
- Incorrectly conjugating as 'laded/laded' (though acceptable) instead of the more common participle 'laden'.
- Confusing it with 'laid' (past tense of 'lay').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST common modern usage related to the word 'lade'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is archaic. The verb 'load' has replaced it in almost all contexts. You only need to recognize it, not use it actively.
They are synonyms, but 'load' is the modern, standard term. 'Lade' is obsolete except in its past participle form 'laden' and in the fixed term 'bill of lading'.
It is pronounced exactly like 'laid' (/leɪd/).
Both are historically correct, but 'laden' is by far the more common and is used as an adjective (e.g., 'a heavily laden cart'). 'Laded' is very rare.