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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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lads
  1. boys
  2. guys
  3. kids
  4. males
  5. teenagers
  6. gentlemen
  7. dudes
Noun
  • Jenkins said sextortion is another significant concern that can impact children with law enforcement seeing particularly serious impacts among teen boys.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • George is following in the footsteps of father Prince William and uncle Prince Harry, who also attended the boarding school for boys.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of boys
Noun
  • The Chicago White Sox’s strength for most of this crazy season has been their bullpen depth, with Grant Taylor, Bryan Hudson, Sean Newcomb and now Hagen Smith as their main leverage guys.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The locals don't even blink at the sight of guys like this who are about to delete 32 beers.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of guys
Noun
  • That’s because the Hoosier state has opted into the new federal program that allows donor money to fund scholarships — for private school or any number of other educational expenses, like tutoring — for low-income kids.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • New this year is Queer Family, dedicated to kids and their families, with a focus on culturally enriching independent films that explore themes of inclusion and identity.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • In the video, an older man is having a confrontation a group of younger males who are telling him to step away from them.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Two males and one female, the cubs were restless during vaccinations.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of males
Noun
  • Agarwal is, like a lot of teenagers, feeling the pangs of a life less traveled, IRL.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Both teenagers had extensive criminal records and were known gang members, Detective Angel Rodriguez, a sheriff’s office spokesman, previously told the Miami Herald.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of teenagers
Noun
  • This, ladies and gentlemen, is what’s known in the editing bay as foreshadowing.
    — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of gentlemen
Noun
  • Now, the real argument should be who they’re influenced by, and most of these dudes are influenced by Americans.
    — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Jump scares, dudes with chainsaws, fake blood and adult drinks accentuated with gummy worms.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 2026.

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