plural boys
often attributive
1
a(1)
: a male child from birth to adulthood
a ten-year-old boy
(2)
: a child whose gender identity is male
Author Kyle Lukoff told Newsweek, Call Me Max and other books in the series are about a young trans boy figuring out who he is, making new friends, and sharing about himself with his family and community.—
Samantha Lock
Samantha Lock
b
: son
My older boy just got married.
Even though it made them uncomfortable to have their boy talked about all over town, secretly, Nick's mom and dad were pleased.—Andrew Clements
Andrew Clements
c
: an immature male
separate the men from the boys
a boy genius
2
3
chiefly US slang
: a close male friend
Now, the receiver is getting a second chance, thanks to old friend Tom Brady. "Tom is my boy," [Antonio] Brown said Wednesday during his introductory video press conference in Tampa.—Michael Hurley
Michael Hurley4
: a male domesticated animal and especially a pet
Leo is a 2-year-old pit bull mix. … He loves receiving attention, getting pets and being told he is a good boy.—The Denver Post
The Denver PostJean Greening greets the birds in the aviary with whistles, kissing noises, and the phrase, "Who's a pretty boy?"—Current Science
Current Science5
a
dated, offensive
: a male servant or an enslaved man
b
disparaging + offensive
—used to address a man of color and especially a Black man
Note: The deeply offensive use of the word boy to address an adult man of color has a strong association with sense 5a and is a term expressive of racist condescension.
Examples of boy in a Sentence
It's a boy! She gave birth to a baby boy this morning.
a nine-year-old boy named David
Okay, boys and girls, it's time to play a game.
Is this your little boy?
That's my boy! Good job, Son.
a group of teenage boys
My parents want me to meet a nice boy and get married.
Don't be so hard on him. He's just a boy.
a poor boy from the north
Wait till the boys back home hear about this!
Recent Examples on the Web
Willis himself knows a thing or two about managing a team, having led Cohasset to new heights in boys soccer as well.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
In a battle between two of the top boys basketball teams in the CIF LA City Section, Cleveland prevailed over Birmingham 81-70 on Friday night to take sole possession of first place in the West Valley League.
—Jack Gillespie, Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
In the 13 years since the division’s inception, no Francis Parker program, boys or girls, has hung an Open Division title.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Attorneys for the victims' families say there were three boys who were abused.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Inside Domenech’s apartment, investigators found infant cereal, baby bottles and toys fit for a toddler, but no food or belongings appropriate for two teenage boys, Clark said.
—Colin Mixson, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Now, still maintaining his clean cut, boy-next-door features, the Puerto Rican artist demonstrates a new career chapter.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2026
History is expected to happen this weekend for Rolling Hills Prep boys’ basketball coach Harvey Kitani.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The Minneapolis boy has a pending asylum case and no order of deportation, according to officials at the boy's school.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
In a battle between two of the top boys basketball teams in the CIF LA City Section, Cleveland prevailed over Birmingham 81-70 on Friday night to take sole possession of first place in the West Valley League.
—Jack Gillespie, Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
In the 13 years since the division’s inception, no Francis Parker program, boys or girls, has hung an Open Division title.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Attorneys for the victims' families say there were three boys who were abused.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Inside Domenech’s apartment, investigators found infant cereal, baby bottles and toys fit for a toddler, but no food or belongings appropriate for two teenage boys, Clark said.
—Colin Mixson, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Now, still maintaining his clean cut, boy-next-door features, the Puerto Rican artist demonstrates a new career chapter.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2026
History is expected to happen this weekend for Rolling Hills Prep boys’ basketball coach Harvey Kitani.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The Minneapolis boy has a pending asylum case and no order of deportation, according to officials at the boy's school.
—Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boy. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boy
noun1
: a male child from birth to young manhood
2
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