Word
lads
US/ˈɫædz/
UK/lˈædz/
Definition
n. a group of close friends, used regardless of whether they are men or women.
n. a gender-neutral collective noun for a close-knit group of friends.
Examples
“I am going out with the lads tonight.”
“After the football match, the lads headed to the local pub to celebrate their victory.”
“The documentary explores the changing social dynamics among the lads in small industrial towns where traditional manufacturing jobs have vanished.”
Examples
simple
“I am going out with the lads tonight.”
contextual
“After the football match, the lads headed to the local pub to celebrate their victory.”
complex
“The documentary explores the changing social dynamics among the lads in small industrial towns where traditional manufacturing jobs have vanished.”
Usage
Common in Northern England, Ireland, and Scotland.
Teaching tip
Learners should be aware that this gender-neutral use is highly regional; in most other places, it specifically implies a male group.
Synonyms
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lads