shovelful
One dig's worth
A shovelful is the amount a shovel can hold at one time: He added several shovelfuls of sand to the wheelbarrow.
The plural is shovelfuls or shovelsful.
Loose dry earth
- soilGround matter for planting
- sandFine rock particles
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
snow · manure · compost · mulch · earth · clay · ash · cement
One pail's worth
- spadefulOne shovel's load
- handfulAmount a palm holds
- pailfulContainer's full measure
- scoopfulQuantity gathered once
bowlful · cupful · basketful · barrowful · cartload · truckload · wheelbarrowful · bagful
Measurable amount present
- volumeAmount of space filled
- amountTotal quantity present
- portionDivided share given
- loadCarried weight or burden
measure · capacity · scoop · dose · increment · unit · batch · allotment
dirt
Loose dry earth
coal · snow · manure · compost · mulch · earth · clay · ash · cement · concrete
bucketful
One pail's worth
scoopful · bowlful · cupful · basketful · barrowful · cartload · truckload · wheelbarrowful · bagful · boxful
quantity
Measurable amount present
load · measure · capacity · scoop · dose · increment · unit · batch · allotment · helping
mounded
Formed into a pile
- overflowingExceeding capacity, spilling out
- brimmingFull to the top
- piledPlaced in layers
heaped · generous · abundant · plentiful · laden · bulging · packed · level · scant · rounded
digging
Removing earth below
- toilStrenuous, prolonged effort
- spadeworkPreliminary preparatory effort
- excavationAct of unearthing
backbreaking · sweat · effort · drudgery · grind · strain · fatigue · trenching · muscle · tiring