What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tomboyish
Example
She was always tomboyish, preferring to play sports and climb trees rather than play with dolls. [tomboyish: adjective]
Example
Her tomboyish attire consisted of baggy jeans and a baseball cap. [tomboyish: adjective]
boyish
Example
He had a boyish charm that made him popular with everyone. [boyish: adjective]
Example
His boyish grin revealed his mischievous nature. [boyish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Boyish is more commonly used than tomboyish in everyday language. Boyish is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tomboyish is less common and may have a negative connotation in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tomboyish and boyish?
Both tomboyish and boyish are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
