old boy

noun

1
often capitalized O&B British : an alumnus especially of a boys' school
2
: a man who is a member of a long-standing and usually influential clique especially in a professional, business, or social sphere

Example Sentences

The old boy had some trouble getting up the stairs.
Recent Examples on the Web In July, a 14-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle and killed while watching exhibition driving in Birmingham. Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 12 Apr. 2023 Julian James Vargas, 19, and a 14-year-old boy were arrested last week in connection with the killing of César Eduardo López-Sandoval, who was shot shortly before noon on Feb. 19 at North Clairemont Recreation Center. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2023 The next morning, around 8 a.m., deputies said a 17-year-old boy who'd been fatally shot was located on the side of the road on SE 94th Street and SE 188th Court. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2023 Officials arrest two juveniles in connection to Florida murders April 8, 202303:02 On March 31, authorities said a 17-year-old boy was discovered lying beside a road with a fatal gunshot wound a few miles from where Silvernail was found. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2023 The home was also the scene of a fire on Good Friday in 1986, where a 7-year-old boy was killed and his mother suffered serious burns, according to Galligan, who shared news clippings from the Brockton Enterprise reporting on the fire at the time. Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023 The next day, about a half mile away, a 17-year-old boy was discovered on the side of a road, also fatally shot, the sheriff said. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2023 Community members and Northeastern District police officers gathered last week on a corner in Baltimore where a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot to pray for a better future for the city and discuss solutions to youth violence. Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2023 In the footage, captured inside Camp Kilpatrick in Malibu in 2020, a 17-year-old boy can be seen arguing with several probation officers. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'old boy.' 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

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of old boy was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near old boy

Cite this Entry

“Old boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/old%20boy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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