# lad

/ˈɫæd/ (US) · /lˈæd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lad
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a boy or young man

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal · British English

a friendly way to talk about a boy or a young man.

For teachers: a boy or young man; often used as a familiar or affectionate term of address.

- He was a good lad who always helped his neighbours with their shopping.
- The local shopkeeper remembered him as a bright lad who spent most of his summer holidays reading in the park.

### 2. a hedonistic young man

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · British English

a young man who enjoys drinking, sports, and being loud with his male friends.

For teachers: a young man who participates in 'lad culture', typically involving hedonism, male bonding, and often irresponsible behaviour.

- He was a bit of a lad in his twenties, always out at the pub.
- The marketing campaign was clearly aimed at the 'lad' demographic, featuring fast cars and loud, energetic music.

### 3. horse groom

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person who works in a stable and looks after horses.

For teachers: a person, regardless of age or gender, employed in a stable to groom and care for horses.

- The stable lad spent the morning brushing the horses before the race.
- Despite the name, a stable lad is often a seasoned professional responsible for the daily health and maintenance of high-value thoroughbreds.

## Examples

- He was a good lad and always helped his neighbors.
- After the football match, the lads went to the local pub to celebrate their victory.
- The documentary explores the evolution of the 'lad' archetype in British media, tracing its shift from a simple term for a youth to a complex symbol of working-class masculinity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.