noun

tons

loads, lots, tonnes

I have tons of homework to do.

I have loads of homework to do.

The truck can carry two tons of sand.

The lorry can carry two tonnes of sand.

tons of ((sth.)) a large amount of (sth.) I have tons of friends.

Synonyms: loads, lots, a great deal

From Old English 'tunne' (cask, barrel), which became a unit of weight. The informal meaning 'a lot' is a hyperbole based on this large weight.

Picture a huge truck piled high with 'tons' of something to remember the informal meaning 'a lot'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.