English Reference
Noun

schoolboy

n. countable
A2 Elementary US /ˈskuɫˌbɔɪ/ UK /skˈuːlbɔɪ/ school·boy UK spelling schoolboy's, schoolboy's

n.a boy who goes to school. You use this word to describe a young male student, usually at a primary or secondary school.

n.a male child or adolescent who attends school. Often used attributively to describe simple or basic errors that a more experienced person should not make.


SIMPLE

The schoolboy carried a heavy backpack to class.

CONTEXTUAL

The local bus was crowded with schoolboys in their blue uniforms heading home for the day.

COMPLEX

The veteran defender was embarrassed after making a schoolboy error that allowed the opposing team to score in the final minute of the match.

Usage

Often used as a modifier in the phrase 'schoolboy error' to describe a basic or careless mistake.


From school + boy.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated