big boy

noun

Synonyms of big boynext
: big gun
usually used in plural

Examples of big boy in a Sentence

when she became the network's White House correspondent, she knew that she was now playing with the big boys
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Staal made it 2-0 a minute and change later by winning a big boy net-front battle with Josh Anderson to pound in his second of the playoffs and continue his line’s dominance over the Canadiens. Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 May 2026 But taking on one of Wall Street’s big boys, and then getting squashed for it, ranks right up there. Liz Peek, Washington Post, 4 May 2026 Then the Bruins big boys decided to make a statement after that. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 Will the Niners spend like big boys and sign Hendrickson, Linderbaum and JFM? Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big boy

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big boy was in 1916

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20boy. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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