shitload: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High (in informal contexts)Very informal, slang, vulgar. Considered offensive by many due to the taboo root word 'shit'.
Quick answer
What does “shitload” mean?
A very large amount or quantity of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very large amount or quantity of something; an informal intensifier meaning 'a lot'.
Used hyperbolically to express an overwhelming, often excessive, or impressively large quantity. Can imply the amount is burdensome, impressive, or ridiculous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and core meaning are identical. Both varieties use it. Slight preference for the spelling as one word ('shitload') over hyphenated ('shit-load') in contemporary usage.
Connotations
Equally vulgar and informal in both dialects. No significant difference in offensiveness.
Frequency
Perhaps slightly more frequent in American English due to broader cultural acceptance of intensifying slang, but firmly established in both.
Grammar
How to Use “shitload” in a Sentence
[Subject] + have/has/got + a shitload of + [uncountable/countable plural noun][Verb] + a shitload[It/That] + cost/weighs + a shitloadVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shitload” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He absolutely shitloads it into the top corner! (very rare, slang for 'hits powerfully')
American English
- N/A (verb use is extremely non-standard and rare)
adverb
British English
- N/A (not used as a standard adverb)
American English
- N/A (not used as a standard adverb)
adjective
British English
- N/A (not used as a standard adjective)
American English
- N/A (not used as a standard adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate except in very casual, non-client-facing conversations between close colleagues.
Academic
Completely inappropriate in writing or formal speech.
Everyday
Common in relaxed, informal speech among friends or peers who are comfortable with vulgarity.
Technical
Inappropriate, unless used jokingly in a very informal tech environment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shitload”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shitload”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shitload”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two shitloads').
- Confusing it with 'shitlist' (a list of people one is angry with).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, unequivocally. It is vulgar slang due to the inclusion of 'shit', a taboo word. It should be avoided in polite, formal, or professional company.
The single-word form 'shitload' is now the most common standard in informal writing. The hyphenated form 'shit-load' is less common but still seen. Two separate words are non-standard.
Yes, many: 'a huge amount', 'a ton', 'loads', 'heaps', 'a massive quantity', 'a slew of', 'a boatload of' (mildly informal).
Absolutely. It's commonly used for abstract concepts: 'a shitload of trouble', 'a shitload of fun', 'a shitload of work'.
A very large amount or quantity of something.
Shitload is usually very informal, slang, vulgar. considered offensive by many due to the taboo root word 'shit'. in register.
Shitload: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪt.ləʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɪt.loʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “More (something) than you can shake a stick at (informal, non-vulgar equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOAD of manure (SHIT) being dumped from a truck – it's a disgustingly, comically large amount.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS MASS / BURDEN (The large amount is conceptualized as a heavy, possibly unpleasant, load to carry).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would using 'shitload' be MOST acceptable?