boy Definition
- 1a male child or young man
- 2a male servant, especially one who performs odd jobs in a household
Using boy: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "boy" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The boy is playing with his toy car.
Example
He was a farm boy before he became a famous actor.
Example
The family hired a boy to do the yard work.
Example
He's just a little boy.
boy Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using boy
used to express the view that mischievous or childish behavior is typical of boys or young men and should not cause surprise when it occurs
Example
He broke a window while playing ball, but boys will be boys.
Example
The movie tells the story of a boy and his dog who go on a journey together.
Example
He's the new boy in town, trying to make friends.
Phrases with boy
a man who does not conform to approved standards of behavior, especially in a particular sphere of activity
Example
He was known as a bad boy of the art world.
Example
He's the boy next door type, always willing to help out.
Example
He's an old boy of Eton College.
Origins of boy
from Middle English 'boi', of unknown origin
Summary: boy in Brief
The term 'boy' [bɔɪ] refers to a male child or young man, as well as a male servant. It can be used to describe a person's age or occupation, such as 'He's just a little boy' or 'The family hired a boy to do the yard work.' 'Boy' also appears in phrases like 'bad boy,' denoting nonconformity, and idioms like 'boys will be boys,' suggesting that mischievous behavior is typical of young males.