boys

noun

plural of boy
1
as in kids
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 boyfriends
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 boys During Wright’s tenure, El Camino Real has replaced the football coach, boys and girls basketball coaches, the tennis coach and the athletic director. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Hathaway hilariously portrays the growing pains of trying to learn royal etiquette while navigating dreamy boys and high-school bullies. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 Arsenal, though, have gone in a different direction, signing expensive options in those positions who have created a logjam ahead of their Hale End academy boys. — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 With women increasingly prevented from working, more of the responsibility for supporting families falls on men and boys. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Longboard and shortboard divisions for all age groups are offered for boys and girls ages 16 and younger, including the Super Menehunes for 7-year-olds and younger. — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 The second sequel brings the Jonas boys back as Connect 3, now touring the world. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026 Lastly, to dull the war-mongering vigor of the Rivermen, Ormund installs small, scared little boys, ripped from their homes, all along the chemin de ronde — a baby human shield for Ser Daeron the Daring’s great army. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 At a May 11 school board meeting, Matthews appeared with his daughter and urged officials to keep boys and girls in separate bathrooms. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boys
  1. kids
  2. boyfriends
  3. teenagers
  4. beaux
  5. lads
  6. youths
Noun
  • Families can also participate in daily arts and crafts sessions, with materials provided on request and staff on hand to help kids create their own souvenirs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That means cables, socks, Legos, kids' pajamas, and everything else not taller than the unit itself are up for grabs, Pac-Man style.
    — Joe Salas August 14, New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • As well as the two ur-bad boyfriends from HBO’s Girls Christopher Abbott and Adam Driver who will portray, respectively, Professor Charles Xavier and Nathaniel Milbury/Mister Sinister.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Keegan-Michael Key and Rob Huebel have been cast as the BFFs’ boyfriends.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • Now there are four campuses with 10,000 to 12,000 annual students ranging from teenagers through retirees, as well as a staff eager to position the college as a true community hub.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Other than Bafode Diakite, teenagers Veljko Milosavljevic and Matai Akinmboni, both 19, are the backup centre-backs, while Julio Soler, 21, is Truffert’s understudy.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of teenagers
Noun
  • So are their girlfriends and wives, who support their beaus in stadiums and at home.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Despite some very not-so-subtle hints from yours truly, my past beaus have never gifted me a handbag on Valentine’s Day, either.
    — Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of beaux
Noun
  • Or is a ‘good’ World Cup actually one in which none of your lads featured, or their country got knocked out early, and are therefore going to be fresh heading into the 10 gruelling months ahead?
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • This intensive five-day retreat welcomes only America’s dudes, bros, lads, sons and fathers.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Definition of lads
Noun
  • The bill also lowers the driver age for low-speed e-scooters from 18 to 16, expanding youths’ access statewide to scooters.
    — Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • An incident like this one, in which employees encouraged youths to restrain another youth, would require staff to notify both the state and the boy’s family within 24 hours.
    — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of youths

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Cite this Entry

“Boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boys. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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