Lad Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lad

[lรฆd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

young boy

A boy or young man.

Synonyms

boy, young man, youth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lad

Often used informally, especially in British English, to refer to a young male, generally in a casual or friendly manner. Commonly associated with boys and young men in their early to late teens.

  • He's a good lad; always helps out around the house
  • The lads are going to the football match tonight
boy

Typically used to describe a male child or a young male, generally below the age of 18. It is a neutral term and can be used in most contexts involving young males. Care should be taken as in some contexts it may have a diminutive or patronizing tone.

  • The boy played with his toys all afternoon
  • There's a new boy in class
youth

Used to describe a young person, often in a more formal or literary context. It can refer to both males and females but often implies a stage of life rather than just gender. Can sometimes carry a sense of inexperience or immaturity.

  • The youth of our community are very active in volunteering
  • His youth and enthusiasm were evident in every project he undertook
young man

Used to refer to a male in his late teens or early twenties, often carrying a tone of respect and recognition of emerging adulthood. It is more formal compared to 'lad' or 'boy'.

  • That young man has a bright future ahead of him
  • Excuse me, young man, could you help me with these bags?

Examples of usage

  • He's just a lad, he can't be older than 16.
  • The lads were playing football in the park.
Context #2 | Noun

informal term for a man

A man, often used in informal contexts.

Synonyms

bloke, fellow, guy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lad

Typically used informally, especially in British English, to refer to a young man or a boy. Often used in a friendly or affectionate manner.

  • 'He's a good lad,' said Steve
  • 'The lads are going out for a drink tonight
  • '
guy

Very common in American English, used to refer to a man in an informal and general sense. Often used in both casual conversations and media to address or mention men without any age-specific connotation.

  • 'Whoโ€™s that guy standing over there?' 'I'm meeting some guys from work for lunch
  • '
fellow

More formal than 'guy' or 'bloke', and can be used to refer to a man in a respectful manner. Often used in older texts or in a humorous tone mimicking older language. It can also indicate companionship or being part of a group.

  • 'He seems like a decent fellow
  • ' 'Heโ€™s a fellow at the college
  • '
bloke

Common in British English, used to refer to a man in an informal and casual manner. It is often used to speak about an ordinary man. There is no specific age connotation.

  • 'He's a nice bloke once you get to know him
  • ' 'Some bloke on the bus spilled coffee on me
  • '

Examples of usage

  • He's a good lad, always willing to help out.
  • I'll ask that lad over there if he knows the way.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'lad'

The word 'lad' originated from Middle English and is related to the Old English word 'hlฤford', meaning 'master' or 'lord'. Over time, the term evolved to refer to a boy or young man, and later to a man in informal contexts. 'Lad' is commonly used in British English to refer to a young boy or a man, especially in casual or friendly settings.


See also: ladder, ladle.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,505 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.