tomboy

American  

[tom-boi] / ˈtɒmˌbɔɪ /

noun

• tomboys
  plural

1. an energetic, sometimes boisterous girl whose behavior and pursuits, especially in games and sports, are considered more typical of boys than of girls.

---

tomboy British  

/ ˈtɒmˌbɔɪ /

noun

1. a girl who acts or dresses in a boyish way, liking rough outdoor activities

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tomboyishness
  noun
• tomboyish
  adjective
• tomboyishly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tomboys
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of tomboy

First recorded in 1545–55; Tom + boy

---

Explanation

A girl who dresses or acts in a stereotypically boyish way is often called a tomboy. Some famous literary tomboys include Scout from "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Jo from "Little Women." The word tomboy first appeared some time in the 1500s, meaning "wild, romping girl who acts like a boy." In nineteenth century America, being a tomboy was seen by many as extremely healthy for girls who were otherwise not encouraged to exercise outdoors. Wearing less constrictive clothes and actually playing gave tomboys experiences similar to those of boys — at least before they were expected to grow up and be "feminine."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tomboy tomboys

Tracye, who describes herself as the tomboy of the group, reminisces on being dressed as what she calls a little jester one year.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

She is the consummate cool girl: 33 years old, both a total hottie and a total tomboy, unable to do things like make a real meal or read a book.

From New York Times ● Feb. 13, 2024

So, I always considered myself a tomboy, but I still like to dress up and be sparkly with rhinestones and glitter and fringe and all that kind of stuff.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2023

He felt like saying aloud what was going on would lock his whole family into a future—solidify that, no, his kid was not just a tomboy, and this was not just a phase.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2023

In truth, I was more tomboy than lady, despite being past my tenth year.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Born 10 years earlier, we would have been called tomboys.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026

The sisters, who were "tomboys from the time we were little kids", were "constantly reminded we don't fit in," says Alisa.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2023

Like most fictional tomboys until then, Jo was a white, working-class brunette with a blond, rich girly-girl nemesis, Blair.

From New York Times ● Feb. 11, 2020

Growing up in Northern California’s Grass Valley, Streicher and her sisters were self-described tomboys who never spent that long getting ready.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2019

People looked back at these tomboys when they had got by; and some shabby young fellows exchanged saucy speeches with them.

From The Minister's Charge by William Dean Howells

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---