noun
tomboy
TOM-boy
noun
1
A girl who enjoys activities or behaviour typically associated with boys, such as rough play or sports.
"As a kid she was a total tomboy, always climbing trees with the neighborhood boys."
How to Use Tomboy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA girl who prefers boyish activities, clothes, or play style over more traditionally "girly" pursuits.
When to use it
Generally used casually and affectionately, though some now consider it a slightly dated way to frame gender-typical behaviour.
Word Forms
tomboys plural
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As a kid she was a total _____, always climbing trees with the neighborhood boys.
Etymology
From "tom" (short for Thomas) plus "boy." First recorded in the mid-1500s describing a boisterous girl, though early citations are ambiguous; the modern meaning was established by the late 1500s.