boy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "boy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a male child or young man. For example: "That boy over there is my son."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Travel

Film

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At this year's show – the 30th – that meant a twerking Miley Cyrus, a cursing Taylor Swift and a reuniting boy band.

The Guardian

A boy tries to install an electric light.

The Guardian - Film

Perform, monkey boy, damn you, one feels like yelling at these artists.

The Guardian - Arts

In a 300-less world, Man of Steel might have been directed by someone who wasn't an angry 12-year-old boy.

The Guardian - Film

So that the Nazis would not hold their real working group responsible, Piechowski and Bendera formed a fake group of four, recruiting another boy scout, Stanislaw Gustaw Jaster, and priest Józef Lempart for their "spectacular escape".

The Guardian

Along the way he became king of the lads: a poster boy for hedonism but with traces of street poet.

The Guardian - Music

The boy, plain and simple, is a tyrant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In 1939, she adopted a baby boy named Camillus.

The Guardian - Film

Art historian Claudia Kinmonth points out that the boy "listening attentively in the centre wears green, a colour symbolic of Fenianism".

The Guardian

McCoist added: "I'm a big enough boy and have been around Scottish football long enough that the fans and opposition aren't going to open the door and let them trample all over you.

The Guardian - Sport

"I've been on those sands man and boy … What happened that night was not only awful beyond words – it was absolutely avoidable … Even when the tide hit them, had they had anybody with them, like me, who knows the area, there was still a safe route off the cockle bed … They could have walked to safety".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "boy", consider the context and your audience. Be mindful of potential connotations, especially when referring to adults. Choose more appropriate terms like "young man" or "man" when necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "boy" to refer to adult males, especially in professional or formal settings, as it can be perceived as disrespectful or condescending. Opt for "man", "gentleman", or their name instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "boy" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a young male human. It can also function as an interjection expressing surprise or pleasure. As shown by Ludwig, the word can be part of larger expressions, but its main role is to name or identify a person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Music

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Film

7%

Lifestyle

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boy" is a grammatically sound and very common noun primarily used to refer to a young male. While generally neutral to informal, caution is advised in professional contexts where using "boy" to describe an adult male may be inappropriate. As Ludwig shows, the word appears frequently in news, sports, and music contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider factors like formality and specific meaning. Be mindful of potential unintended connotations, as emphasized in the writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lad

Refers to a young man or boy, often used in British English.

youngster

A general term for a young person, male or female, but frequently used for boys.

male child

A more formal and explicit term for a young male.

young man

Refers to a male who is no longer a child but not yet fully an adult.

youth

A general term for a young person, but can imply a young male in certain contexts.

chap

An informal term for a man or boy, often used in British English.

guy

A very common and informal term for a man or boy.

son

Refers to a male offspring of any age.

male

A general term for someone of the male sex, regardless of age.

teenager

Refers to an adolescent male.

FAQs

How can I use the word "boy" in a sentence?

You can use "boy" to refer to a male child, as in "The boy is playing in the park". It can also refer to a young man, though this usage is less common and can sometimes be considered informal or even disrespectful if the context is not appropriate.

What are some alternatives to the word "boy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lad", "youngster", "young man", or "chap". The best choice will depend on the age and the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to call an adult male a "boy"?

Generally, no. Calling an adult male a "boy" can be seen as condescending, disrespectful, or even racially charged, depending on the social context. It's best to use terms like "man" or "gentleman" instead.

What is the difference between a "boy" and a "lad"?

Both "boy" and "lad" refer to a young male, but "lad" is more common in British English and often carries a slightly more informal or affectionate connotation. "Boy" is more general and can be used in a wider range of contexts.