lads

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralinformal

   Boys or young men, especially when they are together as a group.

   Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'lad'.

   Patterns

   • the lads
   • a group of lads

   The lads are playing football in the park.

   He went out with the lads last night.

   A few lads from school started a band.

2. 2nounpluralinformal

   A group of male friends, especially those who socialize together.

   Grammar: Used with a plural verb; often preceded by 'the'.

   Patterns

   • the lads
   • one of the lads

   He's one of the lads; he loves a night out.

   The lads are meeting at the pub later.

   She's always been one of the lads.

Word forms

Common combinations

the lads

The lads are coming over for dinner.

a group of lads

A group of lads was standing outside the shop.

one of the lads

He's one of the lads, always up for a laugh.

night out with the lads

He's having a night out with the lads.

Synonyms and how they differ

boys

More general and neutral; 'boys' can refer to any young males, while 'lads' often implies a social group and is more informal.

guys

Common in American English for a group of people, not just males; 'lads' is specifically male and more British.

blokes

Informal British term for men, often slightly older; 'lads' suggests younger men or a group of friends.

Opposites

Word family

lad noun

A boy or young man.

laddish adjective

Behaving in a noisy, boisterous way typical of young men.

laddishness noun

The quality of being laddish.

Commonly confused: lads or lads?

Practice

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