boyish

adjective

Definition of boyishnext
1
as in girlish

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in tomboyish

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 boyish When the boyish, affable congressman became the first Latino lawmaker appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in his second term, national outlets took notice. — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 After two steadying years in the Marine Corps, McQueen made his way back to New York City with a chip on his shoulder and a smoldering anger masked by surprisingly boyish charm and boundless energy. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 This time, Jesse Eisenberg’s anxious and ambitious Mark Zuckerberg from the previous picture — a boyish anti-hero caught mid-mutation into a monster — has been replaced with Jeremy Strong’s practiced, performatively emotionless Zuckerberg. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 His boyish looks notwithstanding, Kiernan is now one of the deans of New York television, approaching his 30th year on NY1. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 In just a few years, Burke had transformed from a boyish, homeschooled gamer into a streaming-era idol. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 Parker is perpetually just on the verge of manhood — youthful, optimistic, with a somewhat innocent boyish sense of romance. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 At sixty-six, Araki maintains his mop of boyish dark hair and arch, flirtatious disposition. — Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 26 July 2026 Then step up your baggy jeans game with some sassy satin sandals for an extra feminine touch to offset the boyish, loose fit. — Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 26 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boyish
  1. girlish
  2. tomboyish
  3. childish
  4. macho
  5. girlie
Adjective
  • Shushu/Tong, meanwhile, continued to develop its girlish femininity aesthetic.
    — Yiling Pan, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Venerdi Pomeriggio also took a girlish approach to embellishments, adding bouquet embroidery and pink ribbons to jeans.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of girlish
Adjective
  • Alex, pointedly called Alexa by her mother (Florencia Lozano), who hates Alex’s tomboyish style, works in a bodega and looks after her brother a lot.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Embrace those tomboyish vibes with a coordinated set like Bella Hadid's powder-blue look, or give them a fashion-forward twist by pairing them with a statement top like Palmer.
    — Maggie Kreienberg, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
Definition of tomboyish
Adjective
  • Forty-nine percent of Americans, and 60% of millennials, sometimes feel judged for enjoying things considered childish.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Memoirs proceeds from there with that simultaneous posture of high-minded openness and a childish giggle.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • The host was too busy discussing bow hunting and jiu-jitsu with Meta’s newly macho main character to delve too much into his controversial policies that later led to an $18 billion settlement.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • An actor known for his macho presence and muscular physique, Sylvester Stallone does not fit the stereotype of a person with an eating disorder.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of macho
Adjective
  • The designer pivoted from the vertiginous styles featured in the two previous collection to styles intended to transition easily from day to night, made with a playful and girly sensibility.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • These perfectly girly-sporty sneakers have a substantial fan club who trust them for comfort and stylishness.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of girlie

Browse Nearby Words

boyhoods
boyish
boyishness
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Cite this Entry

“Boyish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boyish. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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