Definition of "boy" in English

noun

1. A male child.

   • Kieran plays football with other boys in his school.

2. A young man.

   • Kate is dating a boy named Jim.

3. (diminutive, especially with a possessive) A son of any age.

4. (endearing, diminutive) A male human younger than the speaker.

5. (informal, sometimes mildly derogatory) A male human of any age, as opposed to a "girl" (female human of any age).

   • boys' club

6. (obsolete) A male of low station, (especially as pejorative) a worthless male, a wretch; a mean and dishonest male, a knave.

7. (now rare and usually offensive outside some Commonwealth nations) A male servant, slave, assistant, or employee, particularly:

8. (now offensive) Any non-white male, regardless of age.

   • A Hottentot... expects to be called by his name if addressed by any one who knows it; and by those to whom it is not known he expects to be called Hottentot... or boy.

9. (informal, especially with a possessive) A male friend.

10. (BDSM) A male submissive.

11. A male non-human animal, especially, in affectionate address, a male pet, especially a dog.

    • C'mere, boy! Good boy! Who's a good boy?
    • Are you getting a boy cat or a girl cat?

12. (historical, military) A former low rank of various armed services; a holder of this rank.

13. (US, slang, uncountable) Heroin.

14. (somewhat childish) A male (tree, gene, etc).

    • Of the 100 percent total, 25 will have two girl genes, 50 will have one boy and one girl gene, and 25 will have two boy genes.

15. (endearing, colloquial) Any tangible object close to one's person; often used in emphatic forms such as bad boy.

    • This boy can really kick!

interjection

1. Exclamation of surprise, pleasure or longing.

   • Boy, that was close!
   • Boy, that tastes good!
   • Boy, I wish I could go to Canada!

verb

1. (transitive) To act as a boy (in allusion to the former practice of boys acting women's parts on the stage).