old boy

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

old boy (plural old boys)

  1. (chiefly British) An alumnus, especially of a public school.
  2. A former member of a group.
    • 2011 September 24, Aled Williams, “Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea”, in BBC Sport‎[1]:
      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.
  3. A man with an established network of friends who assist one another in social and business situations; a good old boy.
    • 1983 February 12, Jil Clark, quoting Kiriyo Spooner, “Northampton Lesbians Fight Hate Campaign”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 29, page 3:
      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].
  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.

Alternative forms

  • OB (alumnus)

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