tomboy

American  

[tom-boi] / ˈtɒmˌbɔɪ /

noun

• tomboys
  plural

1. an energetic, sometimes boisterous girl whose behavior and pursuits, especially in games and sports, are considered more typical of boys than of girls.

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tomboy British  

/ ˈtɒmˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a girl who acts or dresses in a boyish way, liking rough outdoor activities

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tomboyishness
  noun
• tomboyish
  adjective
• tomboyishly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tomboys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tomboy

First recorded in 1545–55; Tom + boy

Explanation

A girl who dresses or acts in a stereotypically boyish way is often called a tomboy. Some famous literary tomboys include Scout from "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Jo from "Little Women." The word tomboy first appeared some time in the 1500s, meaning "wild, romping girl who acts like a boy." In nineteenth century America, being a tomboy was seen by many as extremely healthy for girls who were otherwise not encouraged to exercise outdoors. Wearing less constrictive clothes and actually playing gave tomboys experiences similar to those of boys — at least before they were expected to grow up and be "feminine."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tomboy tomboys

As the long-haired tomboy wandered the stacks, the library’s spirits recognized that she was an old soul with a taste for nostalgia.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

"I thought I was the tomboy, the only girl that played in the football team, then this little upstart popped up," Westbury tells BBC Sport.

From BBC ● May 20, 2025

She is the consummate cool girl: 33 years old, both a total hottie and a total tomboy, unable to do things like make a real meal or read a book.

From New York Times ● Feb. 13, 2024

So, I always considered myself a tomboy, but I still like to dress up and be sparkly with rhinestones and glitter and fringe and all that kind of stuff.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2023

Mother claims I have the manners of a wild animal myself, as I am a tomboy, but I never fail to be respectful of my father’s garden.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Born 10 years earlier, we would have been called tomboys.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026

The sisters, who were "tomboys from the time we were little kids", were "constantly reminded we don't fit in," says Alisa.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2023

It was time for girls to go back to being tomboys, many adults felt.

From New York Times ● Aug. 14, 2019

Growing up in Northern California’s Grass Valley, Streicher and her sisters were self-described tomboys who never spent that long getting ready.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2019

The twins meanwhile grew up—two frolicksome, apple-cheeked tomboys, for whom no tree was too high, no ditch too deep.

From Dame Care by Bertha Overbeck