houseboy

noun

house·​boy ˈhau̇s-ˌbȯi How to pronounce houseboy (audio)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Collins is playing Skip, the houseboy in the estate where the play takes place. Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 5 Dec. 2022 The older man then offers Casey a thankless live-in position as houseboy and party plaything, basically stripping him of every last shred of dignity. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 June 2022 Police arrested the only one left alive on the property — a 19-year-old houseboy. Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2019 Naomi Campbell was Scarlett O’Hara, Manolo Blahnik was a gardener or barefoot field hand, and John Galliano was a houseboy, photographed scrubbing the floor! André Leon Talley, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2019 In his novel, the winning ticket belongs to a flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel and Ernest becomes her new houseboy. Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 1 Sep. 2017 The underage ones, like him, had become bar sweeps or houseboys for Americans, while the older, luckier ones dodged army service, becoming thieves or pimps or rich men’s servants. Megan Mahew Bergman, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2017 The underage ones, like him, had become bar sweeps or houseboys for Americans, while the older, luckier ones dodged army service, becoming thieves or pimps or rich men’s servants. Megan Mahew Bergman, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2017 The underage ones, like him, had become bar sweeps or houseboys for Americans, while the older, luckier ones dodged army service, becoming thieves or pimps or rich men’s servants. Megan Mahew Bergman, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'houseboy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of houseboy was in 1793

Dictionary Entries Near houseboy

Cite this Entry

“Houseboy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/houseboy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

houseboy

noun
house·​boy -ˌbȯi How to pronounce houseboy (audio)
: a boy or man hired as a general household servant

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