homeboy

noun

home·​boy ˈhōm-ˌbȯi How to pronounce homeboy (audio)
1
slang : a boy or man from one's neighborhood, hometown, or region
broadly : a male friend
2
slang
a
: a boy or man who is a member of one's peer group
b
: a member of one's gang
3
slang : an inner-city youth

Examples of homeboy in a Sentence

He dedicated his win to his homeboys back home. He was hanging out with his homeboys.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That's my new homeboy right there. — Outside Online, 21 Jan. 2026 One time, this dude got in an argument with two of my homeboys from Ohio. — Bob Guccione Jr., SPIN, 11 Feb. 2025 Not bad for a group of homeboys who formed the band in a south Sacramento garage. — Chris MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025 For Rico and his homeboys, slicing is more than a summertime flex. — Zaire Love, The New Yorker, 24 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for homeboy

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeboy was in 1847

Rhymes for homeboy

See All Rhymes for homeboy

Browse Nearby Words

homebound
homeboy
homebred
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homeboy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeboy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

homeboy

noun
home·​boy -ˌbȯi How to pronounce homeboy (audio)
slang
1
a
: a boy or man from one's neighborhood, hometown, or region
b
: a male friend
2
a
: a boy or man who is a member of one's peer group
b
: a member of one's gang
3
: an inner-city youth
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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