tomboy

American  

[tom-boi] / ˈtɒmˌbɔɪ /

noun

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

• tomboyish
  adjective
• tomboyishly
  adverb
• tomboyishness
  noun

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

The rough road travels through the Tomboy mine site, now a relic but once one of the area’s most famous mines.

From Washington Post • Sep. 2, 2022

Tomboy Tailors has a retail shop in the Union Square area of San Francisco, but most are online only.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2013

And previewed at a series of low-key live shows last spring, Tomboy tracks evinced a marked change in texture.

From The Guardian • Sep. 4, 2010

Neither as sample-heavy as 2007’s Person Pitch nor as guitar-driven as 2011’s Tomboy, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper is a dense, bewilderingly brilliant listen.

From Newsweek

But I do and because of this Tomboy becomes my new name.

From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson