lass

Everyday

1. (informal, Scotland and northern England) A lass is a girl or young woman. tree →
2. (informal) Lass is used as a friendly way to talk to a girl or woman, as in Thanks, lass. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday speech in Scotland, Ireland and the north of England, people say lass and lad for girl and boy. In old songs and stories, a lad and a lass fall in love, and bonny lass means pretty girl. The word is friendly and warm, not rude.

Examples

• She's a clever lass. (UK dialect) tree →
• Thanks, lass, that's very kind. tree →
• The lads and lasses went to the dance. tree →
• A bonny lass sang by the river. (Scots) tree →
• Our Sarah's a lovely lass. (northern England) tree →
• Come here, lass, and tell me what happened. tree →
• And the lass whispered in his ear: tree →

Note

Plural: lasses. Informal and regional; in standard English say girl or young woman. The boy word is lad. Lassie means the same; Lassie is also a famous dog in films.