boy

noun

ˈbȯi How to pronounce boy (audio)
Definition of boynext
1
as in kid
a male person who has not yet reached adulthood a giggling little boy ran by

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in boyfriend
a male romantic companion their teenaged daughter has a new boy, and she's just crazy about him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of boy There was a boy, about 12 years old, who was very disruptive. — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026 Apart, which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, explores the friendship between two boys against the backdrop of apartheid-era South Africa. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026 Two measures that will enforce the separation of boys and girls in sports — two measures that show common sense can prevail over partisanship. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Although Lena Dunham is bringing back Girls for a limited run, don’t expect all the boys to return. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boy
  1. kid
  2. boyfriend
  3. teenager
  4. beau
  5. lad
  6. adolescent
  7. toddler
Noun
  • Set the scene Set right on Seven Mile Beach, the sprawling Ritz-Carlton property is a playground for global jetsetters, families with older kids, and even celebrated chefs during the hotel’s annual Cayman Cookout.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In it, a young kid traverses New Orleans to fish, goes door to door selling his game, and learns how to drive, among other things.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • Both Mickey and Wes are going to find out about Skye’s new boyfriend.
    — Megan Vick, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In reality, 19 was a stressful and lonely time, spent mostly in the libraries of my frigid college town or fighting with my boyfriend in the dining hall.
    — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of boyfriend
Noun
  • Since the ban went live, multiple studies, including by Australian regulator the eSafety Commissioner, have found that most of the country’s teenagers under the cutoff age continue to use social media.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Lisa became pregnant as a teenager and, as a student still in high school, did not feel ready to care for a child.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of teenager
Noun
  • The Tennessee native married her Teen Mom costar and longtime beau Taylor McKinney in October 2016.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Kardashian will reportedly continue showing up for her new beau.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of beau
Noun
  • How do two middle-class lads in ratty threads, who might very well have both been played by Robert Pattinson, fast-track an appointment with Jesus?
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Marcus, however, showed a lot of grit and guts for a lad who was not expected to triumph.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of lad
Noun
  • Ariel Gutiérrez’s intimate coming-of-age drama examines how sudden loss can force an adolescent to confront fear, responsibility and the possibility of rebuilding a life after trauma.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Getty An island that had spent decades pairing glamour with license was perhaps the wrong place to entrust an adolescent to unusually permissive relatives.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of adolescent
Noun
  • The beaming toddler could be seen crouching over a large pumpkin outside while wearing a navy blue rain jacket, blue jeans that were cuffed at the bottom, and a pair of orange boots.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The 66-year-old actor was born in California and moved to the Lone Star State as a toddler with his mother.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of toddler

Phrases Containing boy

Browse Nearby Words

boxy
boy
boychick
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Cite this Entry

“Boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boy. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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