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

Derived Forms

• ˈhomeˌgirl, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of homeboy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; home + boy

Word History and Origins

Origin of homeboy¹

C20: US rap-music usage

Example Sentences

It was a weekend because the homeboys were partying and drinking.

From Ozy

He has been an urban homeboy and an American abroad, a Texas schoolboy legend and a college star.

From The Daily Beast

Singer Ne-Yo told MTV that Brown is still his “homeboy at the end of the day.”

From The Daily Beast

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?

• homie
• homey
• bro
• buddy

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

 

• homegirl
• home

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

• friend
• neighborhood
• my
• hometown
• gang
• member

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.

Need a weekend vacation with my homeboys. Just chills and laughs

— Black Panther (@NwoyePedro) November 10, 2020

BRANDON INGRAM IS MY HOMEBOY FOR LIFE.

— Lake Show Life (@TheLakeShowLife) April 12, 2017

I told my homeboy that I lost so many friends in the last year and that I humbly accept I was the common denominator. He then said “No, they left you when you couldn’t provide or help them anymore. They were always with you when you did well.” I almost cried. He’s right.

— Lissette 🇩🇴🦋🏳️‍🌈 (@brujashit) November 9, 2020