Boy vs Male

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Boy	Male
Meaning	A young male child or teenager.	A man or boy.
CEFR level	A1	A2
Part of speech	noun	adjective
Usage notes	Used to refer to a child or teenager, typically under the age of 18. In formal contexts, refer to 'young man’ or 'male child'.	Used to refer to someone of the male gender. Appropriate in most contexts, but may be less formal than 'masculine'. Avoid using in contexts where gender is irrelevant.

Frequently asked questions: Boy vs Male

What's the difference between "Boy" and "Male"?

"Boy" means: A young male child or teenager. "Male" means: A man or boy.

When should I use "Boy" and "Male"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Boy" and "Male" the same CEFR level?

"Boy" is at A1, "Male" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.