noun
boyo
BOY-oh
Boyo (noun) means an informal, chiefly Welsh way of addressing a man or boy, often younger than the speaker. Example: “Come on then, boyo," he said with a grin.”
noun
1
An informal, chiefly Welsh way of addressing a man or boy, often younger than the speaker.
"A taff is a Welshman. Everyone in the doctors’ mess calls me taff or taffy. Mr Swain, the mortuary attendant, calls me boyo, especially during the rugby season when Wales lose badly."
— Peter Ho Davies, The Ugliest House in the World (1995)
""Come on then, boyo," he said with a grin."
"“What brings you around, boyo?” Deane asked, offering Case a narrow bonbon wrapped in blue-and-white checked paper."
— William Gibson, Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1) (1984)
"“You’re crazy boyo!” Taffy gaped at his shipmate’s rosy cheeks, their hugh brightened by the Canadian blasts. “Now, what in the bloody hell were you doing out there boyo?”"
— Francis Kerr Young, Hang on a Second! (2006)
How to use boyo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, friendly (often Welsh) way to address a boy or young man.
When to use it
Very informal and regionally marked, mostly heard in Welsh or Irish English.
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Word forms
- Plural
- boyos
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
"Come on then, _____," he said with a grin.
Etymology
From "boy" plus the informal suffix "-o," often used in casual forms of address.
Rhymes for boyo
See all rhymes for boyo →Frequently asked questions
What does “boyo” mean?
The word “boyo” means an informal, chiefly Welsh way of addressing a man or boy, often younger than the speaker. In plain terms, a casual, friendly (often Welsh) way to address a boy or young man.
How do you pronounce “boyo”?
“Boyo” is pronounced BOY-oh (/ˈbɔɪ.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “boyo” in a sentence?
Here is “boyo” used in a sentence: “"Come on then, boyo," he said with a grin.”
What part of speech is “boyo”?
“Boyo” is a noun.
