English Dictionary

BOYISH

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does boyish mean? 

BOYISH (adjective)
  The adjective BOYISH has 1 sense:

1. befitting or characteristic of a young boyplay

  Familiarity information: BOYISH used as an adjective is very rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


BOYISH (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Befitting or characteristic of a young boy

Synonyms:

boyish; boylike; schoolboyish

Context example:

schoolboyish pranks

Similar:

immature; young ((used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth)

Derivation:

boyishness (being characteristic of a boy)


 Context examples 


So powerful were these visionary considerations in my boyish mind, that I seem, according to my present way of thinking, to have left school without natural regret.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

His heart was now open to Elinor, all its weaknesses, all its errors confessed, and his first boyish attachment to Lucy treated with all the philosophic dignity of twenty-four.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The boyish abandon of that stout man was charming to behold, for though he 'carried weight', he danced like an India-rubber ball.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Up the broad steps Alleyne went, still following his boyish guide, until at the folding oak doors the latter paused, and ushered him into the main hall of the castle.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The reaction from my fear, and the knowledge that the terrible deed I had come to do was no longer necessary, made me boyish and eager.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He was slowly advancing in a peculiarly menacing way, but he stopped now and put his big hands into the side-pockets of a rather boyish short jacket which he wore.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"I'll have you arrested for this," he snarled, tears of boyish indignation running down his flushed cheeks.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

In the mean time they formed up in a line of sentinels, presenting under their row of white hats every type of fighting face, from the fresh boyish countenances of Tom Belcher, Jones, and the other younger recruits, to the scarred and mutilated visages of the veteran bruisers.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A boyish scheme, indeed!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while." (English proverb)

"It is more becoming to have a large nose than two small ones" (Breton proverb)

"Blame comes before swords." (Arabic proverb)

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." (Corsican proverb)



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