Word
lad
Meanings
a boy or young man (informal)
a boy (often used by older speakers or in traditional contexts)
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Definition
A lad is a boy or a young man, especially in an informal way.
A lad is an informal word for a boy or young man. It is often used in friendly, everyday speech, especially when talking about someone’s age or youthful character. In some contexts it can sound casual or old-fashioned, depending on the region and tone.
Examples
- The lad who joined our team yesterday picked up the workflow remarkably quickly.
- I used to be a quiet lad at school, but I grew more confident at university.
- She spoke to the lad at reception and clarified the booking without causing a scene.
- They hired a reliable lad from the neighborhood to help set up the event hall.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use "lad" for any adult man, but it usually refers to a boy or young man and can sound odd for someone clearly middle-aged.
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