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boyish

[ boi-ish ]

/ ˈbɔɪ ɪʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR boyish ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or befitting a boy; engagingly youthful or innocent: a boyish grin.

Origin of boyish

First recorded in 1540–50; boy + -ish¹

OTHER WORDS FROM boyish

boy·ish·ly, adverb boy·ish·ness, noun un·boy·ish, adjective un·boy·ish·ly, adverb

un·boy·ish·ness, noun

Words nearby boyish

boyer's bursa, boyer's cyst, boyf, boyfriend, boyhood, boyish, boykie, boyla, boyle, boyle's law, boyne

Example sentences from the Web for boyish

Newman imparts a simplicity and a boyish eagerness to his characters.

The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70 |Peter Richmond |October 11, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He was a biggish lad, with a boyish, slightly mischievous grin, and thoughtfulness and consideration were seamed in his character.

The James Foley I Knew in the ISIS War Zone |Jamie Dettmer |August 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
No one knows if Kerr actually succumbed to Bieber's "boyish" "charms," but she and Bloom did end up separating in 2013.

An Unlikely Hero Blooms in Ibiza: Orlando Bloom Sort of Punches Justin Bieber |Amy Zimmerman |July 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Could he be faking that boyish, nice-guy, eager-to-please charm, the way “sincerity” is perpetually faked all over the spectrum?

Jimmy Fallon’s Brilliant ‘Tonight Show’ Debut |Tom Shales |February 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

The tone was everything: Boyish, fresh, conspiratorial, unpretentiously witty, honest, engaged.

Lunch with Peter Kaplan: Adam Begley Remembers |Adam Begley |December 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Another thing I noticed was a boyish kind of lisp, which somehow, I could not say why, gave to the man an added charm.

Theodore Watts-Dunton |James Douglas
And again I heard Beverly's boyish voice ring out: "Let's take her and take our chances."

Vanguards of the Plains |Margaret McCarter
He had an ardent love for nature, and sketched rocks, birds, and flowers with his boyish hands.

Lives of Poor Boys Who Became Famous |Sarah K. Bolton
The giant's liking for her, boyish at times, or swiftly changing to bolder appraisal, grew daily.

A Man to His Mate |J. Allan Dunn
And, to the infinite surprise of the manager, there was a slight smile on his boyish face.

Selected Stories |Bret Harte

British Dictionary definitions for boyish

boyish

/ (ˈbɔɪɪʃ) /

adjective

of or like a boy in looks, behaviour, or character, esp when regarded as attractive or endearing a boyish smile

Derived forms of boyish

boyishly, adverb boyishness, noun