A1noun 1K

Boy

UK /["/bɔɪ/"]/ US /["/bɔɪ/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

a male child or a young male person

Listen to definition

In simple words: A young male child or teenager.

Examples

• The boy played soccer with his friends after school.
• That boy has a great sense of humor.
• My little brother is such a curious boy.
• She took care of the boy while his parents were away.
• The boy in the red shirt is my neighbor.

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'.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'boy' as a smaller version of 'man' – both start with 'b' and 'm'.

Collocations

• big
• little
• small
• have
• big
• little
• small
• have

Synonyms

• child
• lad
• youth
• boyhood
• guy

Antonyms

• girl
• woman

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'girl' as the opposite gender
• Overused in contexts where 'man' is more appropriate for older males
• Used in plural as 'boy's' instead of 'boys'