ladder
B1Neutral, used across formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A portable piece of equipment consisting of two long parallel sidepieces joined by a series of rungs, used for climbing up or down.
A hierarchical structure or a means of progression, often metaphorical, through different levels, such as in a career or society. Also, a vertical run in a stocking or tights where the material has come undone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun primarily denotes the physical object but is strongly associated with the 'career ladder' metaphor. The 'run in a stocking' meaning is common in everyday UK English. The verb form, meaning to develop a run, is less frequent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'ladder' is the common term for both the climbing equipment and a run in tights/stockings. In American English, 'ladder' is used for the climbing equipment, while a 'run' is more common for the stocking defect.
Connotations
The metaphorical 'career ladder' is universally understood. The physical object has no significant regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Higher frequency for the 'run in tights' meaning in UK English. Physical object meaning is equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
climb [up/down] the LADDERuse a LADDER to VERBthe LADDER of NOUNget a LADDER in one's tightsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “climb the corporate ladder”
- “pull the ladder up behind you”
- “the ladder of success”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical use is dominant, e.g., 'moving up the career ladder'.
Academic
Used in social sciences to describe social mobility or hierarchical structures.
Everyday
Primarily refers to the physical object for domestic tasks or a run in tights.
Technical
Specific types in construction/firefighting (e.g., turntable ladder, aerial ladder).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She accidentally laddered her new tights on a chair.
- Be careful not to ladder them.
American English
- She got a run in her new tights.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The painter left his ladder in the garden.
- Be careful on that ladder!
- He used a ladder to clean the windows on the second floor.
- She dreams of climbing the career ladder in marketing.
- Social mobility refers to the ability to move up or down the socio-economic ladder.
- The firefighter swiftly ascended the aerial ladder.
- The company's rigid hierarchy meant the promotion ladder was almost impossible to climb.
- Critics accused the policy of effectively pulling the ladder up behind those who had already succeeded.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LADDER leaning against a LAD-der (sounds like 'latter') part of a building.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (e.g., 'climbing the ladder', 'bottom rung').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'лестница', which can mean both 'ladder' and 'staircase'. Use context: a portable climbing device is a 'ladder'; fixed indoor steps are 'stairs' or a 'staircase'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stairs' when referring to a portable device for outdoor work (e.g., 'He used the stairs to paint the ceiling' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ladder' most likely to be used as a verb in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A ladder is a portable device with rungs for climbing. Stairs are a fixed architectural feature with steps, usually inside a building.
Yes, primarily in British English, meaning to cause a run in tights or stockings (e.g., 'I've laddered my tights'). This usage is less common in American English.
It's an idiom meaning to make it difficult for others to achieve the same success you have, often by changing rules or removing opportunities after you've benefited from them.
It is neutral, describing the hierarchy within a company. It can have negative connotations if used to critique rigid or unfair promotion structures.