boy
gb/bˈɔɪ/ us/bˈɔɪ/
A1
English
~ 500
fiú, srácok, haverok, hű, hűha
NOUN
A1
1
fiú
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a boy
The boy ran across the playground to join his friends.
A fiú átfutott a játszótéren, hogy csatlakozzon a barátaihoz.
She has a seven-year-old boy who loves soccer.
Van egy hétéves fia, aki imád focizni.
That boy is very good at math.
The boy smiled when he saw the puppy.
A group of boys were playing near the river.
Learner examples
The boy is in the park.
A fiú a parkban van.
I see a boy with a red hat.
Látok egy fiút piros sapkában.
That boy is my friend.
The boy is happy.
A boy is playing with a ball.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'boy' with 'guy' or 'man'. 'Boy' usually means a child, not an adult male.
Meaning
A male child or youth
Collocations
young boy
|little boy
|school boy
|teenage boy
|baby boy
Synonyms
lad (More common in British English; slightly informal.)
|
youth (Refers to a young person, but can be more formal or general.)
Antonyms
girl (Refers to a female child, opposite in gender.)
Themes
family
|daily life
|people
|daily_life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A child who is male.
A male child or a young male person who has not yet reached adulthood.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] and the boys
I'm going out with the boys tonight.
Ma este elmegyek a srácokkal.
He and the boys are watching the game.
A srácokkal nézi a meccset.
The boys are planning a fishing trip next weekend.
Learner examples
I will meet the boys after work.
Munka után találkozom a srácokkal.
He plays cards with the boys.
A srácokkal kártyázik.
We watch football with the boys.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'boys' in this sense means children; in informal speech it often means adult male friends.
Meaning
Adult male friend or companion
Collocations
the boys
|my boys
|hang with the boys
Synonyms
guys (More general; can refer to both men and women informally.)
Themes
friendship
|social life
|relationships
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
An informal word for a man who is your friend.
An informal term for an adult male friend, often used in plural to refer to a group of male friends.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
'Oh boy' [clause]
Oh boy, that was a close game!
Hűha, ez aztán szoros meccs volt!
Boy, am I glad to see you!
Hű, de örülök, hogy látlak!
Boy, this cake tastes amazing!
Learner examples
Oh boy, this is fun!
Hűha, ez nagyon jó móka!
Boy, I am tired!
Hű, de fáradt vagyok!
Boy, that car is fast!
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with referring to a male child; here it is just an exclamation.
Meaning
'Boy' as an exclamation
Collocations
oh boy
Synonyms
wow (Similar expression of surprise but more neutral in formality.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show strong feeling like surprise or excitement.
'Boy' used as an exclamation to express strong feelings such as surprise, excitement, or emphasis, often followed by 'oh'.
Grammar
Dictionary form
boy
IPA
GB/bˈɔɪ/
US/bˈɔɪ/
Syllables & stress
boy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (boy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: boy
- Plural: boys
Word family
Expressions
boys will be boys
1/bˈɔɪz wˈɪl bˈi bˈɔɪz/
idiom
Accepting typical male behavior
People say this when they accept that men or boys sometimes behave in silly or rough ways.
Examples
- Don't worry about the mess — boys will be boys.
- He got into trouble again, but boys will be boys.
like a boy in a candy store
1/lˈaɪk ə bˈɔɪ ˈɪn ə kˈændi stˈɔɹ/
idiom
informal
Very excited about many options
Feeling very happy and excited because there are many things you like around you.
Examples
- He was like a boy in a candy store when he saw all the new gadgets.
- She walked into the library like a boy in a candy store.
oh boy
1/ˈoʊ bˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
'Oh boy' to show emotion
Used to show you are excited, happy, worried, or surprised.
Examples
- Oh boy, this is going to be fun!
- Oh boy, I forgot my keys again.
oh boy
1/ˈoʊ bˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
excitement or dread
We say “oh boy” when we feel excited or when we expect problems.
Examples
- Oh boy! We’re going to Disneyland tomorrow.
- Oh boy, here we go again.
- Oh boy, this is going to be a long meeting.
Learner examples
- Oh boy!
- Oh boy, not again.