lads

noun

plural of lad
1
as in boys
a male person who has not yet reached adulthood fond of telling tall tales of the days when he was just a lad

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in guys
an adult male human being pass me another beer—will you, lad?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lads How do two middle-class lads in ratty threads, who might very well have both been played by Robert Pattinson, fast-track an appointment with Jesus? — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 Just as Annette Badland teased to Deadline, Mae’s shares come in clutch from beyond the grave at the Bi-Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, only attended by the three lads from the pub. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 There's a multitude of Gucci wearers in the world, spanning bratty aristocrats, the new bourgeois, and lads buying outlet merchandise. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026 Kyle Walker and even some of the foreign lads were taking the p***. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 About how many pounds of fish do each of these strapping, 1,100-lb lads eat per day? — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026 This intensive five-day retreat welcomes only America’s dudes, bros, lads, sons and fathers. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 Aussie Rules lads are almost clothed enough to enter a convenience store. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 The unanimous rave reviews convinced him this wasn’t just about his head being turned by four pretty lads, one in particular. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lads
  1. boys
  2. guys
  3. kids
  4. males
  5. teenagers
  6. gentlemen
  7. dudes
Noun
  • The inspiration started with two boys needing a place to sit.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Their teammate had begun the season competing in boys’ races before switching to girls’ competition.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • So not only is this locker room very talented, but there’s a lot of guys knocking on the door in the minor-league system that can be really impactful players.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Drama at the Valley City, Ohio Frog Jump In 1962, a few guys at a bar were looking for an event to put the town of Valley City, Ohio on the map.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of guys
Noun
  • Everyone thinks their kids’ slang is ridiculous and their parents’ politics naive.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Guests with kids can stay in the main building and take advantage of the onsite restaurant and Kids Club (which people absolutely rave about) and those without children can escape to the Praia Collection.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • Despite most of the country supporting the separation of biological males and females in sports, the vocal minority can be vicious.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Moreover, teen males comprise the vast majority of the brand’s customer base.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of males
Noun
  • After the last practices and meetings ahead of their Friday night lights, around seven or eight brawny, youthful teenagers walk into Top Speed for a primer session.
    — PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In August, 16 teenagers were arrested for trespassing at the Congress.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of teenagers
Noun
  • Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the decidedly forgettable experience of falling for a phishing scam—or in this case, the simulation of one.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This, ladies and gentlemen, is what’s known in the editing bay as foreshadowing.
    — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of gentlemen
Noun
  • The whole point of the ad was to get dudes to sign up for a Novig account and start hammering parlays this football season.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • These two dudes hit me in the head and pointed a gun at me with a knife and then took off.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dudes

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Cite this Entry

“Lads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lads. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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