English Reference
Noun

laird

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈɫɛɹd/ UK /lˈeəd/ laird UK spelling lairds

n.a person who owns a large area of land in Scotland. It is a traditional title for someone with a big country estate.

n.a person who holds a landed estate in Scotland. The title is traditionally associated with the ownership of a significant rural property and carries certain social status within the local community.


SIMPLE

The laird lives in a large stone house on the hill.

CONTEXTUAL

The local laird allowed the villagers to use the private path through his forest for the annual festival.

COMPLEX

While the modern legal powers of a laird have diminished, many still play a central role in the conservation and economic management of the Scottish Highlands.

Usage

Primarily used in a Scottish context; often followed by 'of' and the name of the estate.

Pitfall
He is the lord of the landHe is the laird of the estate

While similar to 'lord', 'laird' is a specific Scottish term for a landowner and is not a title of nobility in the peerage.

This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated