homeboy

American  

[hohm-boi] / ˈhoʊmˌbɔɪ /

noun

Slang.

1. a person from the same locality as oneself.

2. a close friend or fellow gang member.

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homeboy British  

/ ˈhəʊmˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a close friend

2. a person from one's home town or neighbourhood

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Usage

What does homeboy mean? Homeboy is a slang term for a close male friend. It can refer to a boy or a man. The word homegirl is used in the same way to refer to a close female friend. Shortened, gender-neutral versions of these terms include homie and homey, which are perhaps even more commonly used. All of these terms can be used to refer to a friend, as in This is my homeboy Russel, or as a term of address for one, as in Hey, homeboy! These terms are all associated with urban and hip hop culture and are primarily used by members of African American and Latinx communities in the U. S. They commonly refer to a close friend who’s from the same neighborhood. In some cases, the words are used to refer to a fellow gang member. However, the terms have entered mainstream use and usually simply refer to a close friend. Homeboy is frequently used with a possessive pronoun, as in my homeboy. Example: I’m having a night out with just me and my homeboys.

Other Word Forms

• homegirl noun

Etymology

Origin of homeboy

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; home + boy

Example Sentences

“I remembered my homeboy that lived in the neighborhood. I had to go through some woods to his house with the album,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2023

Spanto also included his L.A. folks, like the actor Richard Cabral and his homeboy, Sleepy Joe, who just got out of prison after 30 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2023

Indeed, over the years, the Israeli-American chef Alon Shaya has earned New Orleans homeboy status while slinging labneh and high-end hummus in the land of jambalaya and crawfish étouffée.

From New York Times • Jun. 23, 2022

“It literally sounds like you’re watching the game, chillin’ with your homeboy from up the street.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 18, 2020

“You’re still my homeboy, ain’t you?” he answers, drumming the wheel.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz