A lad is a boy or young man. In Britain and Ireland especially, people use this warm, friendly word when talking about boys and young fellows. A grandfather might ruffle his grandson's hair and say, “How's my favorite lad doing today?” A coach might call out to the team, “Good effort, lads!” after a tough practice.

The word carries a sense of energy and spirit. When someone calls a group of boys “the lads,” it often suggests they're up to something adventurous or mischievous together, like a group of lads building a treehouse or exploring the woods behind their neighborhood.

You'll find lad throughout classic adventure stories and historical novels, especially those set in England, Scotland, or Ireland. In these stories, a young lad might work on a ship, apprentice with a blacksmith, or set off on a quest. The word feels a bit old-fashioned in American English, but it's still common in British English, where you might hear someone say, “He's a good lad,” meaning he's a decent, reliable young person.