good boy
Americannoun
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(used to express approval to a young male child, a male domestic animal, or facetiously to a man).
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Informal. a man or boy who obediently follows expectations or conventions, or appears to do so.
Other Word Forms
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Nouns
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I scratched his neck and cradled his chest as she told him he was a really good boy and we loved him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 14, 2026
"Anyone would wish to have a son like my son... he's a good boy," his mother, Verena, told local media.
From Barron's ● Dec. 22, 2025
Don’t let the new “Superman” trailer fool you: Krypto isn’t nearly the good boy the teaser will have you believe — at least according to James Gunn.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2024
They love me, but they also told me to be a good boy.
From Salon ● May 18, 2024
Bo sits down like a good boy, tongue hanging out in that way that makes him look as if he’s smiling.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
