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View synonyms for homeboy

homeboy

[ hohm-boi ]

noun

, Slang.
  1. a person from the same locality as oneself.
  2. a close friend or fellow gang member.


homeboy

/ ˈhəʊmˌbɔɪ /

noun

  1. a close friend
  2. a person from one's home town or neighbourhood
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈhomeˌgirl, noun:feminine
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Word History and Origins

Origin of homeboy1

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; home + boy
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Word History and Origins

Origin of homeboy1

C20: US rap-music usage
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Example Sentences

And my homeboy, he texted me and was like, ‘You got to capitalize on his marketing.’

If a friend put me in a situation that nearly destroyed my career, I’d stay as far away from homeboy as possible.

A conflict between my homeboys and those college kids could have ended badly.

From Salon

I remember I was staying in Atlanta for a while and my homeboy got his teeth knocked out, his tooth got knocked out playing ball.

From Salon

She says it didn’t seem extreme in her violent environment, where “one of my homeboys was shot multiple times and left dead in the middle of the street” for hours.

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About This Word

What does homeboy mean?

Homeboy is a slang term for a close male friend. It can refer to a boy or a man.

The word homegirl is used in the same way to refer to a close female friend.

Shortened, gender-neutral versions of these terms include homie and homey, which are perhaps even more commonly used.

All of these terms can be used to refer to a friend, as in This is my homeboy Russel, or as a term of address for one, as in Hey, homeboy! 

These terms are all associated with urban and hip hop culture and are primarily used by members of African American and Latinx communities in the U.S.

They commonly refer to a close friend who’s from the same neighborhood. In some cases, the words are used to refer to a fellow gang member. However, the terms have entered mainstream use and usually simply refer to a close friend.

Homeboy is frequently used with a possessive pronoun, as in my homeboy. 

Example: I’m having a night out with just me and my homeboys.

Where does homeboy come from?

The first records of the word homeboy in its modern sense come from the 1900s. It was used earlier to refer to a boy who’s loyal to his hometown or who’s a homebody.

Terms like homeboy, homegirl, homie, and homey started to gain in popularity after the 1960s. Today, they are closely associated with hip hop culture.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for homeboy?

What are some words that share a root or word element with homeboy

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing homeboy?

How is homeboy used in real life?

Homeboy is a slang term that’s always used informally. It’s primarily used by members of the African American and Latinx community.

 

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