Meaning

A boy or young man..

Definitions by Sense

1. A boy or young man.
2. (British) A hedonistic or irresponsible young man; A Jack the lad.
3. A familiar term of address for a young man.
4. A groom who works with horses.
5. (Ireland, colloquial) The penis.
6. (scambaiting, Internet slang) A scammer.

Example Sentences

How great is that danger, to which poor lads are now exposed, when placed on shipboard to learn the art of sailing! Five lads, training up for the seas, were now on board this ship; […]

The lad, his son, had obtained a Jew's-harp, and learned to play upon it the profane airs of "Yankee Doodle," "Hail Columbia," "St. Patrick's Day," and "Auld Lang Syne."

I think he reckons he’s a bit of a lad.

Last night I was out drinking with the lads.

He's rather a lad, by the way—or used to be in his flying days.

Come here, lad, and help me shift these boxes.

— The lad stood to attention anyhow, he said with a sigh. She's a gamey mare and no mistake.

Mrs Glynn: Oh but there's this great bit in it. You see, there was this girl, but then you find out it's not a girl but a man! Mrs Sheridan: And he got his lad out.

Word Forms

• lads

Synonyms for lad

Related Words

When Should You Use Lad?

Use lad when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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