OpenSynonym

lads

/lædz/

NOUN

1. Boys and young males

Boys, male children, or young men, especially when referred to informally or collectively.

1.1. Children and adolescent boys

Used to refer to male children, schoolboys, teenagers, or young males who have not yet reached full adulthood.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • We've been friends since we were young lads playing in the same neighborhood.
  • The football match brought together a spirited group of enthusiastic lads.
  • The lads gathered after school to play football in the park.

Related Words

1.2. Young men and male companions

Used informally, particularly in British English, to describe groups of young men or male friends who spend time together socially.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The lads gathered at the pub for a night of laughter and camaraderie.
  • It's a tradition for the lads to embark on an annual road trip for adventure.
  • The lads cheered on their favorite team with unwavering enthusiasm throughout the game.

Related Words

NOUN

2. A lively or mischievous young man

A young man, especially one who behaves confidently, playfully, cheekily, or mischievously, sometimes with a reputation for being bold or adventurous.

2.1. Cheeky and mischievous young males

Refers to young males who are playful, impudent, spirited, or mischievous, often suggesting youthful confidence and a tendency to get into trouble.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The mischievous lads were always finding new ways to play tricks on their neighbors.
  • Those cheeky lads managed to turn an ordinary afternoon into an adventure.

Related Words

NOUN

3. A familiar form of address for young men

An informal collective term used to address or refer directly to a group of young men, male friends, or companions.

3.1. Friendly and informal address

Used conversationally, particularly in British and Irish English, when speaking to a group of male friends, colleagues, or acquaintances in a familiar and friendly manner.

Synonyms

Examples

  • Come on, lads, it's time to get ready for the match.
  • How are you doing, lads? Are you ready for the weekend?
  • The coach gathered the lads together before the final game.

Related Words

  • companions
  • friends
  • colleagues
  • comrades
  • acquaintances
  • pals

NOUN

4. Male stable workers

Young men or boys employed to care for horses, including feeding, grooming, exercising, and maintaining stables.

4.1. Horse care and stable work

Refers to male workers, traditionally young boys or men, responsible for looking after horses and performing daily duties in stables.

Synonyms

  • stable boys
  • stable hands
  • grooms
  • ostlers
  • stablemen

Examples

  • The lads rose early each morning to feed and groom the horses.
  • The stable lads prepared the racehorses before the morning training session.

Related Words

  • stables
  • horses
  • grooming
  • horsekeeping
  • equestrian
  • feeding
  • saddlery