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REFERENCE

landlord

n.
US //ˈɫændˌɫɔɹd// UK //lˈændlɔːd// land·lord
  1. 1 property owner (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    a person or company that you rent a room, house, or office from.

    the owner of real property who leases it to a tenant in exchange for rent.

    Example

    The landlord fixed the broken heater two days after we called him.

    Example

    The landlord is legally obligated to ensure that the property meets all safety standards before the new tenants move in.

    Usage

    The feminine form 'landlady' is still common, though 'landlord' is increasingly used as a gender-neutral term in legal contexts.
  2. 2 pub manager (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    the person who owns or manages a pub.

    the proprietor or manager of a public house.

    Example

    The landlord of the local pub knows all the regulars by name.

    Example

    After the football match, the landlord struggled to serve the sudden influx of thirsty supporters crowding the bar.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a very common term in the UK for the person behind the bar who runs the establishment.
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  1. 3 a shark (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Humorous

    a humorous or scary name for a shark in the ocean.

    a metaphorical reference to a shark, personifying it as the owner of the water.

    Example

    The surfers got out of the water quickly when they thought they saw the landlord.

    Example

    Local surfers often use the term 'the landlord' to refer to the great white sharks that frequent the bay during the summer months.

    Usage

    Usually used with the definite article as 'the landlord'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is niche surfing slang; learners will rarely encounter it outside of coastal communities or specific subcultures.
Origin

From Middle English londlord, landlorde, from Old English landhlāford, equivalent to land + lord. Cognate with Scots landlaird, Middle Low German lantlord (“homeowner, landlord”).

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