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 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 This place was incredible, and got to enjoy it with some good lads. — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lads
  1. boys
  2. guys
  3. kids
  4. males
  5. teenagers
  6. gentlemen
  7. dudes
Noun
  • In the book, Cathy is essentially setting up two boys to get in trouble.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Role playing difficult situations at home prepares boys to intervene in the moment.
    — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • The only way to make the bad guys sweat is to hand them a subpoena — or, at the least, to depict them unflatteringly on television.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Hip-hop fans who’ve followed Migos’ journey will never forget what you guys have done in music and your influence on other artists around the world.
    — Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of guys
Noun
  • Conversely, Morio is desperate to have kids, but any effort to discuss the topic with his wife is quickly dismissed.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Presumably, kids are still writing sketches in their basements and delivering jokes about cafeteria food into hairbrushes.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • National polling consistently shows that between 75-80% of voting Americans oppose biological males competing in women’s sports.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The suspects are described as Black males between the ages of 16 and 20 with a thin to medium build who were wearing all black clothing, ski masks and red gloves with black palms, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of males
Noun
  • The widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenagers is fueling defiance and angering some parents and teachers.
    — NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The resort lends itself to rest and relaxation, but teenagers could certainly keep themselves busy with the endless activities on offer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 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
  • 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
  • So, there's unfortunately been some really good dudes come out of Oklahoma.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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