altar boy

American  

noun

1. a male altar server.

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altar boy British  

noun

1. RC Church Church of England a boy serving as an acolyte

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Etymology

Origin of altar boy

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Scorsese grew up in New York’s Little Italy as a Catholic altar boy and aspiring priest who was also fascinated by the mafiosos that loomed large in his community.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

The church where Pope Leo XIV attended mass as a child and served as an altar boy is now an empty shell.

From BBC • May 8, 2025

He was also an altar boy for seven years, although that was a lot more stressful.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2024

While he served as an altar boy at his hometown Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Rother seemed destined for farm life.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2023

Dad says the altar boy robes will cover the clothes and she says we don’t have the money for robes and the wash they need every week.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt