homeboy

noun

home·​boy ˈhōm-ˌbȯi How to pronounce homeboy (audio)
1
slang : a boy or man from one's neighborhood, hometown, or region
broadly : a male friend
2
slang
a
: a boy or man who is a member of one's peer group
b
: a member of one's gang
3
slang : an inner-city youth

Examples of homeboy in a Sentence

He dedicated his win to his homeboys back home. He was hanging out with his homeboys.
Recent Examples on the Web Your dad will ask one of his homeboys who hustles to mentor you. You. Mitchell S. Jackson, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023 To lend or give money to my homeboys or, on occasion, cover the whole crew’s tab at a club or restaurant. Mitchell S. Jackson, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023 The Habs will go forward this season, their net to be sorted out by veteran Jake Allen, 33, who paired with Jordan Binnington for the Blues during their 2019 Cup run, Casey DeSmith (ex- of UNH), and Trois Rivieres homeboy Sam Montembeault. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023 Laurie’s homeboy Shaun was killed in summer of ’89. Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023 Spanto also included his L.A. folks, like the actor Richard Cabral and his homeboy, Sleepy Joe, who just got out of prison after 30 years. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2023 How does Harlow’s homeboy who just beat cancer have anything to do with how his girl don’t need no enhancers? Vulture, 28 Apr. 2023 That’s my homeboy. Marc Malkin, Variety, 18 Jan. 2023 My homeboy had an Acura. Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homeboy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeboy was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near homeboy

Cite this Entry

“Homeboy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeboy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

homeboy

noun
home·​boy -ˌbȯi How to pronounce homeboy (audio)
1
a
: a boy or man from one's neighborhood, hometown, or region
b
: a male friend
2
a
: a boy or man who is a member of one's peer group
b
: a fellow member of a youth gang
3
: an inner-city youth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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