choirboy

American  

[kwahyuhr-boi] / ˈkwaɪərˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a boy who sings in a choir, especially a church choir.

2. Slang. a person who is notably honest, moral, or innocent.

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choirboy British  

/ ˈkwaɪəˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. one of a number of young boys who sing the treble part in a church choir

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Etymology

Origin of choirboy

First recorded in 1830–40; choir + boy

Example Sentences

The more well-documented tradition of this day was the election of a choirboy by his peers to perform the duties of bishop, dressing in his vestments and conducting Church services in a reversal of hierarchy.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2024

The surviving choirboy has testified that he decided to report Pell to police in 2015 after attending the friend’s funeral.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2023

The other choirboy did not make public accusations against Cardinal Pell.

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2023

Like Sanders, Shepherd had some of his earliest exposure to music in church, as a choirboy at Manchester Cathedral.

From New York Times • Mar. 25, 2021

He’d sing beautifully, his high choirboy voice hitting every note like a bell.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee