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REFERENCE

ladder

n. · v.
US //ˈɫædɝ// UK //lˈædɐ// lad·der
  1. 1 climbing equipment (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a piece of equipment with steps (rungs) between two long poles, used for climbing up or down.

    a portable or fixed structure consisting of two parallel sidepieces joined at intervals by rungs, used for vertical ascent or descent.

    Example

    He climbed up the ladder to fix the broken tile on the roof.

    Example

    The fire department deployed an extension ladder to reach the upper-storey windows where several residents were still trapped by the smoke.
  2. 2 career progression (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a series of stages that help you move up to a better job or position.

    a metaphorical series of stages or levels through which an individual may progress toward a higher status or better position.

    Example

    She worked hard for ten years to climb the corporate ladder.

    Example

    Ambitious junior associates often find that the first few rungs of the professional ladder require significant personal sacrifice and long hours.
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  1. 3 hole in clothing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a long thin hole or line of broken threads in a piece of clothing like tights or a sweater.

    a line of unravelled stitches in a knitted fabric, particularly in hosiery or fine knitwear.

    Example

    She was annoyed to find a ladder in her new silk stockings.

    Example

    The dancer checked her tights in the mirror, relieved to find that the small snag had not yet developed into a visible ladder.
  2. 4 league table (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Dialect Sport

    a list that shows the ranking of teams in a sports competition.

    a competitive ranking or league table showing the relative positions of teams or participants.

    Example

    After winning the match, the team moved up to third place on the ladder.

    Example

    With only three rounds remaining in the season, the local club is fighting to maintain its position at the top of the ladder.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is standard in Australian and New Zealand English for sports like AFL or rugby.
  3. 5 to develop a hole (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    when a piece of clothing gets a long thin hole in it.

    to develop a line of unravelled stitches; used intransitively of knitted garments.

    Example

    Be careful with those sharp nails or your tights will ladder.

    Example

    The delicate fabric tended to ladder easily if it caught on the rough edges of the wooden chairs.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English ladder, laddre; from Old English hlǣder, from Proto-West Germanic hlaidriju, from Proto-Germanic hlaidrijō, from Proto-Indo-European ḱlóydʰrom, from ḱley- (“to lean”). Compare Scots ledder, North Frisian ladder, Saterland Frisian Laadere, West Frisian ljedder, Dutch ladder, German Leiter; also Old Irish clithar (“hedge”), and Umbrian 𐌊𐌋𐌄𐌈𐌓𐌀𐌌 (kleθram, “stretcher”). See lean, which is related to lid. Further cognates include Ashkun istrī, Kamkata-viri c̣ik, Prasuni čik, čix; Waigali c̣iř, Sanskrit श्रिति (śrití).

Idioms4 entries

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