---
title: lad — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «lad» in the school dictionary: A lad is a boy or young man. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# lad

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** lad, lads, friendly way, loud young man, He, good lad · **What happens:** be, talk, act, do, help, come on · **To what, where:** boy, group, friendly way, loud young man, good lad, gran · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«lad» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 9 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [lad in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lad.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: informal, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A lad is a boy or young man.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:m1:1
# text = A lad is a boy or young man.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	boy	boy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
7	young	young	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a lad | a boy or young man |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: informal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"The lads" are a group of male friends.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:m2:1
# text = "The lads" are a group of male friends.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	lads	lad	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
5	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	group	group	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	male	male	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	friends	friend	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the lads | a group |  |  |  | of male friends | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: informal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Lad" is a friendly way of talking to a boy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:m3:1
# text = "Lad" is a friendly way of talking to a boy.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	friendly	friendly	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
9	talking	talk	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	acl	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	boy	boy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Lad | a friendly way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **talk** | gerund | a friendly way *not said here* |  |  |  |  | to a boy | vn talk-37.5 «NP V PP.co-agent»: agent=Agent to boy=Co-Agent |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Well done, lad!"

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:m3e:1
# text = "Well done, lad!"
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	3	advmod	_	_
3	done	do	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	vocative	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** *in a quote* | participle |  |  |  |  |  | lad *vocative*; well *property* | vn act-114-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: slang, UK — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A "lad" or "laddish" person is a loud young man who acts tough or rough.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:m4:1
# text = A "lad" or "laddish" person is a loud young man who acts tough or rough.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
6	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	7	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	laddish	laddish	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	7	punct	_	_
9	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	cop	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	14	det	_	_
12	loud	loud	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
13	young	young	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	amod	_	_
14	man	man	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
15	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	16	nsubj	_	_
16	acts	act	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	14	acl:relcl	_	_
17	tough	tough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	16	xcomp	_	_
18	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	19	cc	_	_
19	rough	rough	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	17	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	14	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a lad or laddish person | a loud young man |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **act** | present | a loud young man |  |  |  |  | tough *property* | vn act-114-1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He's a good lad who helps his gran.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x1:1
# text = He's a good lad who helps his gran.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	who	who	PRON	WP	PronType=Rel	7	nsubj	_	_
7	helps	help	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
8	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	gran	gran	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | He | a good lad |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **help** | present | a good lad | his gran |  |  |  |  | vn help-72.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent gran=Beneficiary |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Come on, lads, let's play footy!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x2:1
# text = Come on, lads, let's play footy!
1	Come	come	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	on	on	ADV	RB	_	1	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
4	lads	lad	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
6	let	let	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	1	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	's	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	play	play	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	footy	footy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come on** | imperative | you *not said here* | lads |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **let** | infinitive |  | 's |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **play** | infinitive | 's *not said here* | footy |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent footy=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
When I was a lad, we walked to school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x3:1
# text = When I was a lad, we walked to school.
1	When	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	5	advmod	_	_
2	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
7	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	walked	walk	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
9	to	to	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | I | a lad |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **walk** | past | we | a lad *not said here* |  | school |  |  | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V NP PP.trajectory»: agent=Agent lad=Theme to school=Trajectory |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Well played, lad," said the coach.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x4:1
# text = "Well played, lad," said the coach.
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Well	well	INTJ	UH	_	3	discourse	_	_
3	played	play	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	8	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	5	punct	_	_
5	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	vocative	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	3	punct	_	_
8	said	say	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **play** *in a quote* | participle |  |  |  |  |  | lad *vocative* | vn performance-26.7-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | past | the coach |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A young lad found the lost puppy.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x5:1
# text = A young lad found the lost puppy.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	young	young	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	found	find	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	lost	lose	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	7	amod	_	_
7	puppy	puppy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **find** | past | a young lad | the lost puppy |  |  |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent puppy=Topic |
| 2 | **lose** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The lads went fishing on Saturday.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x6:1
# text = The lads went fishing on Saturday.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	lads	lad	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	went	go	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	fishing	fish	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	3	xcomp	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	Saturday	Saturday	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **go** | past | the lads |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7 «NP V S-Quote»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **fish** | gerund | the lads *not said here* |  |  |  | saturday |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our lad is starting high school next week.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x7:1
# text = Our lad is starting high school next week.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	starting	start	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
5	high	high	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	next	next	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	week	week	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **start** | present · progressive | Our lad | high school |  |  | week |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent school=Eventuality |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Three lads and two lasses joined the club.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x8:1
# text = Three lads and two lasses joined the club.
1	Three	three	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	2	nummod	_	_
2	lads	lad	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nsubj	_	_
3	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
4	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	lasses	lass	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	conj	_	_
6	joined	join	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	club	club	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **join** | past | Three lads and two lasses | the club |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent club=Patient |

## Example 9 {#x9}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"Father," answered the lad, "hear me!

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:lad:x9:1
# text = "Father," answered the lad, "hear me!
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	Father	Father	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	2	punct	_	_
5	answered	answer	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	lad	lad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
9	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	hear	hear	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	conj	_	_
11	me	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **answer** *speech: express* | past | Father | the lad |  |  |  |  | vn reciprocate-112-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent lad=Eventuality |
| 2 | **hear** *in a quote* | infinitive | Father *not said here* | Father |  |  |  |  | vn see-30.1-1-1 «NP V S»: agent=Experiencer i=Stimulus |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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