boys

boys · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of boy; male children or young males.

  2. 2.

    (informal) A group of male friends or companions.

  3. 3.

    Male servants or workers (dated, potentially offensive in some contexts).

Forms

plural: boys

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    boys will be boys — excusing rough or mischievous behavior as typical male conduct
  • •
    the boys — one's male friends or colleagues
  • •
    old boys' network — an informal system of connections among men from the same background
  • •
    one of the boys — accepted as part of a male group

Related words

Antonyms: girls, men
See also: boy, children, girls, men
Synonyms: kids, lads, youngsters, youths

Etymology

From Middle English boi ("servant, commoner, knave, boy"), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Anglo-Norman embuié ("fettered"), or from Old French embuié. The plural form adds the standard English -s suffix.