Definition

1. Noun:
   • A boy who attends school: A male child or adolescent who is enrolled in and attends an educational institution.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The schoolboy was late for his first class.
  • A group of schoolboys played football in the yard after lessons.
  • Every morning, the schoolboy packs his bag with books and a lunchbox.

Advanced Usage

• "schoolboy error": A very basic or foolish mistake, of the kind a young, inexperienced student might make.
  • The experienced programmer made a schoolboy error and deleted the important file.
• "schoolboy humour": Humour that is simple, silly, or obsessed with bodily functions, considered typical of young boys.
  • The film relied heavily on schoolboy humour, with lots of jokes about slipping on banana peels.

Variants and Related Words

• Schoolgirl (noun): A girl who attends school.
• Schoolchild (noun): A child who attends school (gender-neutral).
• Schoolboyish (adjective): Having the qualities or appearance of a schoolboy, often implying youthful enthusiasm or immaturity.
  • He gave a schoolboyish grin when he was caught.

Synonyms

• Pupil: A person, especially a child, who is taught by a teacher.
• Student: A person who is studying at a school or college. (More general; can apply to any level of education.)
• Scholar (archaic/literary): A student; a person who is learning.

Related Phrases

• "like a schoolboy": Behaving with the enthusiasm, naivety, or lack of sophistication associated with a young boy.
  • He was excited about the trip like a schoolboy.

Related Idioms

• "Schoolboy's dream": Something that is considered an ideal or fantastic situation, often from a simplistic or youthful perspective.
  • Getting paid to play video games was a schoolboy's dream come true.

Noun

1. a boy attending school