lad

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lad" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a young man, especially one who is associated with a particular place or group. For example: "The lads from our local cricket team all gathered together for a team photo."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it has also attracted criticism for celebrating obnoxious lad culture and sexist content.

The Guardian

James Savage, Stoute's travelling head lad, said: "We were glad there wasn't much rain last night.

The Guardian - Sport

NUS President Toni Pearce recently accused UK institutions of ignoring lad culture, and in the highly marketised US, universities are often criticised for covering up violent crime in order to maintain enrolments.

The Guardian

There's a feeling that lad culture at UK universities is on the increase, and if that's the case, it's the product of several intersecting trends.

The Guardian

"But when the head lad came back into his box, he just thought he took a lame step.

The Guardian - Sport

In the past, he has been critical of 1990s "lad culture", something that he contributed to, albeit inadvertently, but he has also said that he used to be "one of those kids who couldn't keep his mouth shut" - which still seems to hold true.

The Guardian - Music

He even went to a lad at work's wedding".

The Guardian

In Sunday league you can tell what a referee's going to be like from the moment they come into the car park and here comes this young lad, you know, a really skinny fella.

The Guardian - Sport

Bocuse is a great dinner companion – he told me of learning his trade as a young lad during the Occupation, how he was taught to kill pigs and veal calves, and later when he joined the Resistance, how he tried to kill Germans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This tender-faced wisp of a lad, with a cloud of long, soft hair, is now memorialised in a famous photo.

The Guardian

The Bikers, however, who are only half north-western, make a white sauce with flour, milk and cream; Manchester girl Boggiano mixes her cheese with creme fraiche; and Kentish lad Bates goes for a kind of rich, cheesy quiche made from eggs and double cream, which I enjoy inordinately – but it works better as a cold, hand-held pie than the warm dinner I'm hoping for.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lad" to refer to a young man or boy, especially in British English contexts, to add a familiar or informal tone.

Common error

Be mindful of the potential for "lad" to reinforce gender stereotypes. In contexts where inclusivity is paramount, consider using gender-neutral alternatives like "young person" or "youth".

Linguistic Context

The word "lad" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a boy or young man. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often used as a familiar term of address. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing someone's background, character, or role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "lad" is a common noun used to refer to a young man or boy, particularly in British English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While generally informal, "lad" appears in various contexts, including news and media. It can convey familiarity or regional identity. When writing, be mindful of potential gender stereotypes and consider gender-neutral alternatives where appropriate. Related terms include "young man", "boy", and "chap", each with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boy

A simple and direct term for a young male.

laddie

A Scottish diminutive of "lad", indicating affection or familiarity.

young man

A more formal and general term for a male youth.

youngster

Implies youthfulness and often innocence or inexperience.

young fella

An informal term for a young man, often used in a friendly or familiar way.

youth

Emphasizes the person's young age and stage of life.

chap

A British English term, similar to "lad" but slightly more formal.

bloke

A British English slang term for a man, often a young man.

fellow

A more general term for a male person, but can refer to a young man.

son

Refers to a male offspring, implying a parental relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "lad" in a sentence?

You can use "lad" to refer to a young man or boy, especially in British English. For example, "He was a local "lad" who made good".

What are some alternatives to "lad"?

Alternatives to "lad" include "young man", "boy", "youth", or "chap", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "lad" appropriate in formal writing?

While "lad" is acceptable in informal and casual contexts, it may not be suitable for formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "young man" or "youth" in professional settings.

What does "lad culture" mean?

"Lad culture" refers to a subculture characterized by boisterous, often sexist, behavior among young men. It is often associated with universities and sports teams.