homeboy

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Someone, particularly a male acquaintance, from one’s hometown.

Register: colloquial

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

When the boy next door; Don't want to be my homeboy no more; Saw something that I never saw before; I think he wants to be my baby

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A close friend or fellow member of a youth gang.

Register: colloquial

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A person.

Register: colloquial

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “homeboy” mean?

Someone, particularly a male acquaintance, from one’s hometown.

Is “homeboy” formal or informal?

homeboy is generally colloquial.