old boy

[ ohld boi ohld boi ohld boi ]

noun

1. Informal. an adult male, especially a Southerner. Compare good old boy.
2. a lively elderly man.
3. Chiefly British. an alumnus, especially of a boys' preparatory or public school.
4. Chiefly British. old chap.

old boy

noun

1. sometimes capitals a male ex-pupil of a school
2. informal.
   1. a familiar name used to refer to a man
   2. an old man

Word History and Origins

Origin of old boy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

I have always thought that if the old boy can wake a Tennessee bumpkin to literature and history, to irony and rhetoric, he can do anything.

From Washington Post

On the flip side, it is a closed old boy school with a high-profile sponsor.

From Washington Post

Well, Harry, here's a tip: might be best to keep your shirt on when you're at music festivals in future old boy!

From The Daily Beast

His message was he was a good old boy from Arkansas who knew what it was like to grow up in a family that struggled.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, Republicans hated Clinton, but he was Southern and enough of a good old boy that he cut across those lines to some extent.

From The Daily Beast

And as clear evidence of voter desire to the shake up the good old boy network in politics, women ruled the night.

From The Daily Beast

Well, old boy, I guess you lost me more than I'll make out of you; but you've given me what I ought to have had three years ago!

From Project Gutenberg

Dic had another boy friend—an old boy, of thirty-five or more—whose name was William Little.

From Project Gutenberg

Tell ye, 'f the Old Boy himself sh'd ride up alongside, shouldn't be a mite s'prised to see him.

From Project Gutenberg

Kamelillo said he was "old boy all right," but Kamelillo's notions of what was virtuous weren't civilised notions.

From Project Gutenberg

"We've missed you these four days, old boy," his father said.

From Project Gutenberg