fanboy

[ fan-boi ]

noun

1. Sometimes fanboi. an obsessive male fan, especially of comic books, science fiction, video games, music, or electronic devices:

   Apple fanboys lined up to buy the new phone.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a male fan) to demonstrate intense excitement at the mention or in the presence of a particular celebrity, film, product, etc., especially one associated with popular culture or technology:

   I don't usually fanboy over optics, but these binoculars are awesome.

Other Words From

• fan·boy·ing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanboy¹

First recorded in 1915–20; fan ² + boy

Example Sentences

Unlike previous Scream films, Richie isn’t interested in revenge or becoming a star, he’s just a fanboy with a bone to pick.

From Time

Sadly, the selection at this launch is laughably thin for both Sony and Microsoft fanboys.

From TechCrunch

Brewer is no ranked-choice fanboy — in fact, he testified to the state legislature that he was worried it was potentially unconstitutional and might confuse voters.

From Ozy

But when a serial sex predator is playing fanboy, the gag reflex kicks in.

From The Daily Beast

Two Rivers functions like a fanboy gift shop with impeccable replica items.

From The Daily Beast

If she were smart, Palin would recruit a member of her impressive gay fanboy base — yes, she has one — to help run her campaign.

From The Daily Beast

The critical firmament and fanboy intelligentsia rose up in dissent.

From The Daily Beast

This was just the kind of thing that would have given him major fanboy drool as recently as a month ago.

From Project Gutenberg