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
Before Portugal's World Cup qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland, Cristiano Ronaldo said he would "try to be a good boy" to keep Irish fans off his back.
From BBC ● Nov. 13, 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
“Wrap him up good, boy, and take him out for a while.”
From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
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.
