View synonyms for doughboy

doughboy

[ doh-boi ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Informal. an American infantryman, especially in World War I.
a rounded mass of dough, boiled or steamed as a dumpling or deep-fried and served as a hot bread.

doughboy

/ ˈdəʊˌbɔɪ /

noun

informal.
an infantryman, esp in World War I
dough that is boiled or steamed as a dumpling

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of doughboy¹

1675–85; dough + boy; sense “infantryman,” from mid-1860s, is obscurely derived; two plausible, but unsubstantiated claims: doughboy originally referred to the globular brass buttons on infantry uniforms, likened to the pastry; dough referred to a clay used to clean the white uniform belts

Discover More

Example Sentences

He came on the little stage, first as a swaggering general, then as an admiral, last as a real doughboy of the United States Army.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of them were singing the national anthem of the doughboy, Hail!

From Project Gutenberg

He had gone a few yards when a doughboy jumped up out of a listening post and began to signal to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Six weeks ago I couldn't tell a doughboy officer from a cavalryman by the stripe down his legs.

From Project Gutenberg

Frequently I have seen the doughboy in Paris as well as in the other cities and towns and in our military camps in France.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

dough bird doughboys

Browse