Meaning & use
frat boy
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Meaning
nouncountableinformaldisapproving
An informal, sometimes mocking term for a male fraternity member seen as loud, party-focused, and boastful.
Grammar: Countable; plural is frat boys. Often used by outsiders rather than as a proud self-description.
Patterns
- a stereotypical frat boy
- frat-boy behavior
- act like a frat boy
- former frat boy
The film mocks stereotypical frat-boy behavior at campus parties.
He joined a fraternity but hated being called a frat boy.
The comedian's frat-boy jokes felt tired and predictable.
Word forms
| plural | frat boys |
|---|
Common combinations
- stereotypical frat boy
- The character is a stereotypical frat boy who never studies.
- frat-boy humor
- The ad relies on lazy frat-boy humor.
- former frat boy
- As a former frat boy, he still organizes the reunion barbecue.
- act like a frat boy
- They told him to stop acting like a frat boy during the meeting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fraternity brother
- A neutral term for a member of the same organization; frat boy adds a mocking stereotype.
- bro
- A broader informal male stereotype; frat boy is tied to college fraternity culture.
Word family
- frat noun
- Informal short form of fraternity.
- fraternity noun
- A social organization at many American colleges.
- fraternal adjective
- Relating to brothers or brotherly relations.
Commonly confused: frat boy or fraternity?
frat boy vs fraternity
Fraternity is the organization or the neutral members as a group; frat boy targets an individual male stereotype.
Practice
The term “frat boy” is most likely to sound ___ when used by an outsider about a loud party crowd.
Choose one answer.
The term often carries a joking or negative stereotype. Admirable, medical, and legal tones do not match its usual informal use.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “frat boy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.