tomboy

Everyday

1. A tomboy is a girl who likes doing things that people used to think were only for boys, such as climbing trees, rough games and football, and often prefers jeans to dresses. tree →
2. (dated) It was once used as a criticism of girls who did not behave in a "ladylike" way. tree →

In the lessons

Appears in stories and everyday chat about friendship, fairness and growing up. It tells the reader about a girl's interests and style, not about anything wrong with her. Modern lessons stress that girls and boys may like any games, clothes and hobbies. Phrases: «a bit of a tomboy», «a real tomboy», «tomboyish».

Examples

• Maddie is a tomboy who loves football and climbing trees. tree →
• Mum says she was a tomboy as a girl. tree →
• Being a tomboy doesn't mean she can't like painting too. tree →
• The tomboy in the story beat all the boys in the race. tree →
• She hated dresses and called herself a proud tomboy. tree →
• Some kids teased her for being a tomboy, but she didn't care. tree →
• She had a short, tomboyish haircut. tree →

Note

Countable noun; plural «tomboys» (not -ies, because there is a vowel before y). Adjective: tomboyish. Used only of girls. Trap: it is a description, not a judgement; liking football does not make a girl less of a girl. Some people today find the word old-fashioned.