ladder
LAD-uh
Ladder (noun) means a frame with rungs used for climbing up or down. Example: “Please hold the ladder steady while I paint the top of the wall.”
noun
1
A frame with rungs used for climbing up or down.
"Please hold the ladder steady while I paint the top of the wall."
"The firefighters carried a long ladder to the window."
"He climbed the ladder to fix the gutter."
2
A series of steps or stages leading to a better position, especially in a career.
"Starting as a junior clerk, he slowly moved up the career ladder."
"Buying a first flat is a step on the property ladder for many young people."
"She worked her way up the corporate ladder over twenty years."
3
A vertical run of unravelled stitches in tights or a knitted garment.
"A tiny hole turned into a long ladder down the side of my tights."
"Clear nail varnish can stop a ladder spreading any further."
"She noticed a ladder running up her tights just before the interview."
verb
1
Of a knitted garment, to develop a run when a thread breaks.
"Cheap tights often ladder after only one wear."
"My jumper laddered when the thread caught on a nail."
"Her stockings laddered the moment they snagged on the chair."
How to use ladder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA climbing frame with rungs, or figuratively, a path of progress — such as up a career.
UK vs US
The "run in stockings" sense is mainly British; American English usually says "run" instead of "ladder."
Common pairings
climb the ladder
career ladder
ladder in her tights
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Word forms
- Plural
- ladders
- Third person singular
- ladders
- Past tense
- laddered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please hold the _____ steady while I paint the top of the wall.
Etymology
From Old English hlǣder, related to the word "lean," describing something you lean against to climb.
Related words
Rhymes for ladder
See all rhymes for 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.
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