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boy

 - 3 dictionary results

boy

  [boi]
Use boy in a Sentence
–noun
1. a male child, from birth to full growth, esp. one less than 18 years of age.
2. a young man who lacks maturity, judgment, etc.
3. Informal. a grown man, esp. when referred to familiarly: He liked to play poker with the boys.
4. a son: Sam's oldest boy is helping him in the business.
5. a male who is from or native to a given place.
6. boys, (used with a singular or plural verb)
a. a range of sizes from 8 to 20 in garments made for boys.
b. a garment in this size range.
c. the department or section of a store where these garments are sold.
7. boys, military personnel, esp. combat soldiers: Support the boys overseas.
8. Disparaging and Offensive. a man considered by the speaker to be inferior in race, nationality, or occupational status.
9. a young male servant; page.
10. Offensive. (in India, China, Japan, etc.) a native male servant, working as a butler, waiter, houseboy, etc.
11. Nautical. an apprentice seaman or fisherman.
–interjection
12. an exclamation of wonder, approval, etc., or of displeasure or contempt.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME boy(e), perh. after OE Bōia man's name; c. Fris boi young man; akin to OE bōfa, ON bōfi, OHG Buobo man's name (G Bube knave, (dial.) boy, lad)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To boy
boy   (boi)   
n.  

  1. A male child.

  2. A son: his youngest boy.

  3. Often Offensive A man, especially a young man.

  4. Informal A man socializing in a group of men: a night out with the boys.

  5. Offensive A male servant or employee.

interj.  Used to express mild astonishment, elation, or disgust: Oh boy—what a surprise!

[Middle English boi, possibly from Old French embuié, servant, past participle of embuier, to fetter.]
boy'hood' n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

boy

In addition to the idiom beginning with boys, also see fair-haired boy; mama's boy; separate the men from the boys; whipping boy.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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