laddish
Definition
Adjective: laddish describes behavior, attitudes, or characteristics typical of a young man (a "lad"), often implying a boisterous, macho, or immature manner, especially in a social group context.
Usage Examples
- (His rowdy, immature behavior typical of young men was irritating.)
- (The group's macho, boyish attitudes created an unwelcoming environment.)
- (His humor, characteristic of a young man's crude or sexist style, was not amusing to her.)
Advanced Usage
"laddish behavior": actions associated with young men in a group, such as drinking heavily, bragging, or engaging in crude humor.
- The company warned employees about laddish behavior in the office. (The company cautioned against immature, macho conduct.)
"a laddish atmosphere": an environment dominated by young male attitudes, often excluding others.
- The gym had a laddish atmosphere that intimidated new members. (The gym felt like a space for young men, making others uncomfortable.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lad (n): a young man or boy, often used informally.
- He's a typical lad who loves football and video games. (A young man with common male interests.)
- Laddishness (n): the quality or state of being laddish.
- His laddishness was seen as charming by some but childish by others. (His boyish, macho nature.)
Synonyms
- Boyish: having qualities typical of a boy or young man (often less negative than "laddish").
- Macho: exhibiting exaggerated masculinity, often aggressive or boastful.
- Boorish: rough, rude, or insensitive in manner.
Related Idioms
- "One of the lads": being accepted as part of a group of young men engaging in typical male activities.
- He wanted to be one of the lads, so he joined in the drinking games. (He sought acceptance in the male group.)
Notes on Usage
- "Laddish" often carries a mildly negative or critical tone, suggesting immaturity or a lack of sophistication. It is commonly used in British English to describe social behavior in contexts like sports teams, pubs, or university groups.