old boy
Americannoun
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Informal. an adult male, especially a Southerner.
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a lively elderly man.
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Chiefly British. an alumnus, especially of a boys' preparatory or public school.
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Chiefly British. old chap.
noun
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(sometimes capitals) a male ex-pupil of a school
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informal
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a familiar name used to refer to a man
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an old man
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Etymology
Origin of old boy
First recorded in 1595–1605
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.
The old boy accepted, signing up his son as his assistant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Gaza's health ministry said a two-week old boy named Mohammed Abu al-Khair had died of hypothermia on Monday, two days after he had been admitted to hospital and placed in intensive care.
From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2025
“I’m glad I made it. The old boy upstairs took care of me,” he said, gesturing skyward.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
Smith's penalty to the corner led to a catch-and-drive try for Bath old boy Walker, Smith converting to make it 20-12.
From BBC ● Dec. 23, 2023
Dad was already leafing through his AA Book of British Towns and Uncle Brian'd sent Mum a look that said, If it makes the old boy happy, let him.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
