home boy

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableslanginformal

   A male friend or acquaintance from one's own neighborhood or hometown, often used as a term of address.

   Grammar: Countable; often used directly to address someone: 'Hey, home boy!'

   Patterns

   • someone's home boy
   • Hey, home boy!

   He grew up with his home boys and they still hang out every weekend.

   Yo, home boy, what's up?

   I ran into an old home boy from my old neighborhood.

2. 2nouncountableslangoffensivedisapproving

   A young man, especially one from an urban background, sometimes used with a mocking or aggressive tone.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in direct address and can sound confrontational.

   Patterns

   • some home boy
   • you home boy

   The officer addressed him as 'home boy', which many consider disrespectful.

   Some people use 'home boy' to belittle someone from a different background.

Word forms

Common combinations

old home boy

He met an old home boy from his high school days.

my home boy

That's my home boy from the old neighborhood.

home boy from

He's a home boy from the south side.

Synonyms and how they differ

homey

Also slang for a friend from your area; 'homey' is slightly less common and can sound dated.

buddy

A general, neutral word for a friend; 'home boy' specifically suggests a shared neighborhood or background.

mate

Common in British English for a friend; 'home boy' is American slang.

Word family

homegirl noun

The female equivalent of 'home boy'.

Commonly confused: home boy or homeboy?

Practice

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