What does lass mean?
Lass is a chiefly northern British word for a girl or young woman. It is especially common in speech and writing associated with Scotland, northern England, and Ireland, where it may appear in songs, stories, poems, and traditional expressions. The word can sound warm and affectionate, as in a description of a childhood memory, but it may also seem old-fashioned, folksy, or regional when used in other settings. In everyday general English, girl is the usual neutral term for a younger person, while young woman is appropriate when referring to an adult. Lass should therefore be chosen mainly when its regional character is appropriate or when quoting or evoking traditional language. Its sound is straightforwardly /læs/, with a short vowel and a final unvoiced /s/.
nounA girl or young woman. In modern usage, the term is chiefly regional, traditional, or affectionate, and may suggest a cheerful, informal familiarity.
- A girl or young woman, especially in northern England, Scotland, and Ireland.
"The village lass knew every path across the hills."
"Her grandmother remembered when she was a lass working on the family farm."
"The song tells of a lass who waits by the river for her sailor."
The standard plural is lasses; lassies is also used, especially in affectionate or traditional contexts.
"Several lasses gathered beside the school gate."
In the word “lass,” the final s is pronounced like the s in “bus,” a small detail that helps preserve the sound of this traditional northern British word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lass
Lass developed in northern and Scots English from a form meaning a young woman or girl. Its ultimate origin is commonly connected with Old Norse, although the precise historical pathway is not entirely straightforward. Modern cognates and related forms appear in several northern European languages, while the English word eventually became especially characteristic of Scottish, Irish, and northern English usage.
Related word forms
How lass is actually used
Lass is mainly associated with northern British, Scottish, and Irish speech and writing. It can sound affectionate, quaint, literary, or folksy, depending on context. In modern general British English, girl is usually more neutral, while young woman may be more formal.
Easily confused with lass
A lass is a girl or young woman, whereas a lasso is a rope used to catch animals or, figuratively, to entangle someone.