lads

USAGE SUMMARY

"lads" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an informal term used to refer to a group of men, typically young men, such as "The lads all gathered around the campfire to roast marshmallows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Along the way he became king of the lads: a poster boy for hedonism but with traces of street poet.

The Guardian - Music

Pritchard, by his own reckoning, was too young for the Britpop moment, which "had all curdled" by the time he reached his teens, but he was certainly aware of the label and with all its associations, "the lads' mags and beers that came along with it".

The Guardian - Music

With their tight jeans and updated teddy-boy styles, the four gaff lads exude rough sex: they could have walked straight out of the Smiths's "Rusholme Ruffians" from the album Meat is Murder.

The Guardian

"They are good group of lads but our form has been up and down," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

We went to a bar, shared one Bacardi and Coke and got chatted up by some lads from Preston.

The Guardian - Film

I am lucky that when I arrived as manager I inherited a good group of lads".

The Guardian - Sport

"I nearly killed him in the tunnel," wrote Crerand, "but a couple of security lads got in the way and held me back.

The Guardian - Sport

The lads were beautiful, there's an honesty there.

The Guardian - Music

Seeing the lads leering in that domineering row at the front of the stage like they used to sounds tempting.

The Guardian - Music

For four months after the "glorious twelfth" of August each year, wealthy sportsmen pay up to £3,000 a day to stand with a gun on private moorland while beaters – usually farm workers or local lads – flap and shoo grouse towards the shooters' sights.

The Guardian

In fact, the great unwashed were constantly renewing the High Arts and some of the finest practitioners were actually ordinary lads (this was the Seventies) from similar backgrounds to mine.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lads" in informal contexts when referring to a group of young men, especially in British English. Be mindful of the audience and avoid it in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lads" in academic papers or professional correspondence. Opt for more neutral terms like "young men" or "participants" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lads" is as a plural noun, referring to a group of young men or boys. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from sports teams to groups of friends. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

30%

Music

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lads" is a common and generally acceptable term for referring to groups of young men, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in informal settings, particularly within News & Media, Sport, and Music contexts, it is crucial to consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, formal writing contexts may require more neutral terms like "young men". Ensure to use the word in appropriate settings and be mindful of its informal nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

young men

A more formal and general term.

guys

A common and informal term, though less specific to young men.

boys

Suitable for younger groups of males.

blokes

Another British English term, slightly more casual than "chaps".

mates

Implies a close friendship or camaraderie.

youngsters

Implies youth and inexperience.

chaps

A British English term, similar in meaning but more formal.

youths

Often used in a formal or legal context.

fellows

A slightly old-fashioned term for a group of men.

group of youths

More descriptive and less colloquial.

FAQs

How to use "lads" in a sentence?

"Lads" is an informal term for a group of young men. For example, "The "lads" went to the pub after the football match."

What can I say instead of "lads"?

You can use alternatives like "young men", "guys", or "fellows" depending on the context.

Is "lads" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "lads" is generally considered informal. Use more formal terms like "young men" or "youths" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "lads" and "gentlemen"?

"Lads" refers to young men, often in an informal or playful way, while "gentlemen" implies respect and formality. You might say "The "lads" are having a kickabout", but "Please welcome the gentlemen of the board".