homie

American  

[hoh-mee] / ˈhoʊ mi /

Or homey

noun

Slang.

1. a homeboy or homegirl.

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homie British  

/ ˈhəʊmɪ /

noun

1. slang short for homeboy or homegirl See homeboy

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Usage

What does homie mean? Homie is a slang term for a close friend. It can be used to refer to a friend, as in This is my homie Russel, or as a term of address for one, as in Hey, homie! Homie is sometimes spelled homey. It’s a shortened version of homeboy or homegirl, which are gender-specific but mean the same thing. 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. Homie is frequently used with a possessive pronoun, as in my homie. Example: I’m having a night out with just me and my homies.

Etymology

Origin of homie

First recorded in 1940–45; by shortening and alteration

Example Sentences

I also like Community Goods, which my homie Pedro runs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

“Very very good friends only my homie forever,” she replied.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2023

"Did you see?" my little homie, who is more like my nephew Ben said, "You hear about it?"

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2023

Seven years after that watershed, the Eastside homie named for Wild West outlaw Jesse James would again stride onto the Homeboy campus in Chinatown, on a sunny Thursday in June, this time as an inspiration.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2023

Early the next morning at my breakfast table my homie and I knew something had to be done.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers