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

My homeboys would wear they sisters’ shirts and they sisters’ jeans.

From Los Angeles Times

When we got on the cover of Spin and they dubbed us “broken homeboys” — I was a little put off by that.

From Los Angeles Times

“I saw all these cats who were dressed like homeboys,” she said, awe still in her voice 30 years later.

From Los Angeles Times

And my homeboy, he texted me and was like, ‘You got to capitalize on his marketing.’

From Los Angeles Times

If a friend put me in a situation that nearly destroyed my career, I’d stay as far away from homeboy as possible.

From Los Angeles Times