Finesentence logo

Homeboy: meaning, definitions and examples

👦
Add to dictionary

homeboy

 

[ ˈhoʊmˌbɔɪ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal use

Homeboy is a slang term typically used to refer to a male friend or companion, often someone from the same neighborhood or background. It can denote a sense of belonging or loyalty to a particular group or place. The term is often associated with urban cultures, particularly in hip-hop and street vernacular. Although it primarily refers to males, it may also be used colloquially for friends of any gender among certain groups.

Synonyms

bro, buddy, mate, pal

Examples of usage

  • What's up, homeboy?
  • He's been my homeboy since childhood.
  • I invited my homeboys over for the game.
  • Don't forget your homeboys when you make it big.

Translations

Translations of the word "homeboy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 camarada

🇮🇳 दोस्त

🇩🇪 Kumpel

🇮🇩 teman

🇺🇦 друг

🇵🇱 kumpel

🇯🇵 友達 (ともだち)

🇫🇷 pote

🇪🇸 amigo

🇹🇷 kanka

🇰🇷 친구 (친구)

🇸🇦 صديق (صديق)

🇨🇿 kámoš

🇸🇰 kamoš

🇨🇳 哥们 (gēmen)

🇸🇮 prijatelj

🇮🇸 vinur

🇰🇿 дос дос

🇬🇪 მეგობარი (megobari)

🇦🇿 dost

🇲🇽 amigo

Word origin

The term 'homeboy' originated in the African American Vernacular English (AAVE) during the late 20th century, particularly within urban neighborhoods. Its roots can be traced back to the combination of 'home,' indicating a sense of community or locality, and 'boy,' which in this context refers to a male friend or companion. The usage of 'homeboy' conveyed both familiarity and camaraderie among young men, especially in contexts influenced by hip-hop culture. Over time, the word has permeated into wider usage, adopting varied meanings based on context while retaining its informal character. The term gained wider popularity through music, movies, and social media, and is now often used in casual conversations among friends, transcending racial and geographic boundaries. Today, 'homeboy' is recognized as an integral part of American slang, symbolizing friendship and loyalty.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,136, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.