Word
laird
US/ˈɫɛɹd/
UK/lˈeəd/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“The laird lives in a large stone house on the hill.”
“The local laird allowed the villagers to use the private path through his forest for the annual festival.”
“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.”
Examples
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 land
He 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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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