old boy

American  

[ohld boi, ohld boi, ohld boi] / ˈoʊld ˈbɔɪ, ˈoʊld ˌbɔɪ, ˌoʊld ˈbɔɪ /

noun

1. Informal. an adult male, especially a Southerner.

2. a lively elderly man.

3. Chiefly British. an alumnus, especially of a boys' preparatory or public school.

4. Chiefly British. old chap.

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old boy British  

noun

1. (sometimes capitals) a male ex-pupil of a school

2. informal

   1. a familiar name used to refer to a man

   2. an old man

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Etymology

Origin of old boy

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Old boy Joleon Lescott, Manchester City forgotten man Scott Sinclair and the Paris St-Germain forward Kevin Gameiro are rumoured targets should money be available.

From Children's BBC • Jan. 2, 2013

Old boy, I'm sorry—'pon my word I am.

From The Path to Honour by Grier, Sydney C.

Old boy, we won't heed him, you and I. We'll say, 'Yes, my dear Apollyon, all that is undoubtedly true.

From Father Payne by Benson, Arthur Christopher

"Old boy, this is a jolly bad world."

From Half a Rogue by MacGrath, Harold

Old boy, married himself, and very fond of his family.

From Overland by De Forest, J. W. (John William)