ladder
5 synonyms for ladder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A frame with rungs used for climbing up or down.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A frame with rungs used for climbing up or down.
“Please hold the ladder steady while I paint the top of the wall.”
2. verb
Of a knitted garment, to develop a run when a thread breaks.
“Cheap tights often ladder after only one wear.”
How to use ladder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
climb the ladder
career ladder
ladder in her tights
Etymology
From Old English hlǣder, related to the word "lean," describing something you lean against to climb.
Full origin of ladder →Frequently asked questions
What does “ladder” mean?
The word “ladder” means a frame with rungs used for climbing up or down. In plain terms, a climbing frame with rungs, or figuratively, a path of progress — such as up a career.
How do you pronounce “ladder”?
“Ladder” is pronounced LAD-uh (/ˈlæd.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ladder” in a sentence?
Here is “ladder” used in a sentence: “He climbed the ladder to fix the gutter.”
What part of speech is “ladder”?
Depending on how it is used, “ladder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ladder” come from?
The word “ladder” comes from Old English. From Old English hlǣder, related to the word "lean," describing something you lean against to climb.
Is “ladder” a common word?
“Ladder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ladder” have?
“Ladder” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a frame with rungs used for climbing up or down.
Why is a run in tights called a ladder?
In British English, a ladder is a vertical run of unravelled stitches in tights or a knitted garment, named for its look: parallel threads crossed by gaps resemble a ladder's rungs. As a verb it means to develop such a run — "my tights laddered" — while American English calls the same fault a "run."
What is the difference between a ladder and a stepladder?
A ladder is a frame with rungs used for climbing up or down, and most types need to lean against a wall or other support. A stepladder is a self-supporting, hinged kind that folds out into an A-shape and stands on its own.
