# landlord

/ˈɫændˌɫɔɹd/ (US) · /lˈændlɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/landlord
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. property owner

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

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

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the person who owns or manages a pub.

For teachers: the proprietor or manager of a public house.

- The landlord of the local pub knows all the regulars by name.
- After the football match, the landlord struggled to serve the sudden influx of thirsty supporters crowding the bar.

Teaching tip: This is a very common term in the UK for the person behind the bar who runs the establishment.

### 3. a shark

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Humorous

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

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

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

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

## Examples

- The landlord fixed the broken window yesterday.
- After the pipes burst, the tenants contacted their landlord to request an emergency repair and a temporary rent reduction.
- The relationship between a landlord and a tenant is governed by local housing laws that dictate notice periods for inspections and the handling of security deposits.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.