Dictionary

old boy en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Meanings

1. (UK) An alumnus, especially of a public school.
2. A former member of a group.
   • Swansea named an unchanged side from their win over West Brom, and the visitors made an encouraging start, with Blues old boy Scott Sinclair prominent - Branislav Ivanovic had to make an important block to halt the winger's run. 2011 September 24, Aled Williams, “Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea”, in BBC Sport:
3. A man with an established network of friends who assist one another in social and business situations; a good old boy.
   • The fact that they have waited to leave messages and have left hand-written evidence indicates to me that they don't believe they are going to be apprehended, that they have friends in 'higher places.' This is a small town. Everybody knows everybody. That 'ol boy' chuminess ^([sic]). 1983 February 12, Jil Clark, quoting Kiriyo Spooner, “Northampton Lesbians Fight Hate Campaign”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 29, page 3:
4. (UK, informal) An elderly man.
   • I got talking to an old boy in the pub, and he told me what the village used to be like in the old days.
5. (UK, dated) A familiar term of address for a man of any age.
   • Listen, old boy, I've got some news.

Forms

Deriveds

old boy network · old boyism

Relateds

good old boy · big boy

Translations (7)

ru старина́ (a familiar term of address for a man) · fr mon grand (a familiar term of address for a man) · fr vieux (a familiar term of address for a man) · ru стари́к (a familiar term of address for a man) · fr mon vieux (a familiar term of address for a man) · he קשישא (a familiar term of address for a man) · pl druh (a familiar term of address for a man)