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 Or is a ‘good’ World Cup actually one in which none of your lads featured, or their country got knocked out early, and are therefore going to be fresh heading into the 10 gruelling months ahead? — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 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 This place was incredible, and got to enjoy it with some good lads. — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 The year was 1994, and a handful of Irish lads were gathered at a hotel in Northern Ireland to celebrate Colin Cather’s pending nuptials. — Abby Ellin, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026 McMurtry Automotive Ten years since the company formed, the mad lads at McMurtry Automotive are bringing the record-setting Spéirling Pure hypercar to life. — New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2026 The search for lads to play the young teen began a few months ago. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lads
  1. boys
  2. guys
  3. kids
  4. males
  5. teenagers
  6. gentlemen
  7. dudes
Noun
  • The 13-year-old previously attended Lambrook School, Windsor, alongside his brother and sister but will now follow in the footsteps of his father and uncle, Prince Harry, at the prestigious all-boys boarding school.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Protesters and volunteer medics pull the two boys out of the car and try to treat their wounds.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • All these guys, all my teammates, all my coaches, everybody in this building loves it.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Finding all these guys, and so many more peppering the scene, served as an important reminder.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of guys
Noun
  • Kotb and her daughters posed for a summery moms-and-kids photo alongside her Today with Hoda & Jenna co-host and their executive producer Talia Parkinson.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Cheryl Reeve has been the loudest voice in favor of inclusion of transgender kids in particular.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • The two males are adjusting well, according to caretakers at SeaWorld, and are slowly being introduced to the existing whales at the park.
    — Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham does not believe that female athletes should have to share a locker room or compete against biological males.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of males
Noun
  • For teenagers like Ivanka Lopez, the summer job is a stepping stone on a career path.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The ruling, filed Thursday in Santa Fe County District Court, found Meta intentionally used features such as endless scrolling, autoplay, notifications and content recommendations to keep users, especially teenagers, on its platforms longer.
    — Jason Volack, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of teenagers
Noun
  • That, ladies and gentlemen, is why the stock of Amazon surged Friday and took its hyperscaler peers along for the ride.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a resident big band that sets the tempo for dancing—there are even gentlemen hosts available for ladies—and a DJ rocks the small disco late into the night.
    — Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of gentlemen
Noun
  • In 72 Hours, Hart plays fortysomething advertising executive Joe, who accidentally gets added to a group chat for a bunch of younger dudes' bachelor party weekend.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026
  • There’s hippie dudes and Patagonia dudes but also corporate lawyer dudes looking for a night off.
    — Claire Howorth, Vanity Fair, 29 July 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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