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 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 That real trust can be rare, from knowing other young lads (at Liverpool) and their experiences on loan. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 10 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
  • She’s spent most of her life in King’s Landing; raised young boys in King’s Landing.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • Eight people were injured, including four boys aged six to 14 years old.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • Yes, even these guys are obviously mature for their ages, there’s a pretty significant difference just in terms of frame, body weight.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • The Canadian gay hockey romance launched fujoshi fandom into the mainstream, proving audiences — and women, in particular — had a desire to watch two young guys roll around in some good old-fashioned smut.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of guys
Noun
  • Little kids rooting for France ran out of food lines with their parents.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
  • Her college professor set them up, and the pair has since welcomed two kids, son Aden and daughter Ariah.
    — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • Who’s actually placing these bets The audience Kalshi is attracting is different from its typical trader base, which skews heavily toward males.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Among males, cardiovascular risk was reduced by as much as 36%.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
Definition of males
Noun
  • The agreement delivers comprehensive coverage to the 2026 CrossFit Games across every division this season—individuals, teams, adaptive, teenagers and masters.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
  • Wildfire smoke has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular health problems, with children and teenagers, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with pre-existing heart or lung conditions at a particular risk.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of teenagers
Noun
  • 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
  • The ladies shimmered in champagne, gold and blush, while the gentlemen wisely remembered that the safest way to stand out at Miss Swift’s wedding was, in fact, not to.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of gentlemen
Noun
  • Guys like Drake Baldwin, CJ Abrams, and Andy Pages are the younger dudes.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
  • Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town).
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lads for Spanish Speakers

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