Lad

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /læd/

Definitions

1. A young male, typically a boy or youth in the stage between childhood and adulthood
2. A young male, often in the transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, denoting youth and vigor
3. A young male individual usually characterized as being in the development phase from childhood to the onset of adulthood

Etymology: The most striking thing about "lad" is that its earliest sense may have been an insult. Old English had a personal name, Ladda, and the word probably grew out of a nickname of that kind. Its meaning seems to have drifted toward a term of abuse, such as "foolish youth" or a youngster of lower social standing, before it softened into a neutral word for any young fellow. The clearest hints of the older picture come from Scandinavia. Norwegian "ladd" once meant a rough sock or woolen slipper, and the same element turns up in fairy-tale names like Askeladden, "Ash Lad," and in the word "tusseladd," meaning nincompoop. Swedish has related words for old shoes and socks, and these are all thought to connect to Old Norse "loðinn," meaning hairy or shaggy. The link is informed guesswork rather than settled fact, but it suggests a root image of something rough and woolly.

Synonyms: boy, youth, young man, guy, fellow

Antonyms: girl, woman, lady, female, adult