attaboy

[ at-uh-boi ]

interjectionInformal.
  1. (used as an enthusiastic expression of encouragement or approval to a boy, man, or male animal.)

Origin of attaboy

1
1905–10, Americanism; alleged to be a reduced form of that's a boy or that's the boy

Words Nearby attaboy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use attaboy in a sentence

  • He was censured by his colleagues in the House but given an “attaboy, Charlie!”

    The Daily Beast 2010 Political Awards | Samuel P. Jacobs | December 21, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • In the ominous silence a cracked voice yelped: "attaboy Fenton!"

    Vulcan's Workshop | Harl Vincent
  • He did go and support the team, and enhance the glory of Zenith, by yelling "attaboy!"

    Babbitt | Sinclair Lewis
  • It will be observed that Mr. Burke has given his attaboy a "t" too many.

    Pieces of Hate | Heywood Broun

British Dictionary definitions for attaboy

attaboy

/ (ˈætəˌbɔɪ) /


sentence substitute
  1. slang, mainly US an expression of approval or exhortation

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