boys
Not yet men
Boys is the plural of boy—male children or young men.
The word often extends to adult males in casual contexts: a night out with the boys, the boys in the band.
It can signal camaraderie or informality among men of any age.
Applied to grown men in professional settings, it may sound dismissive or condescending.
Male offspring collectively
- brothersMale children of same parents
- nephewsSiblings' sons
- grandsonsMale offspring of offspring
- ladsInformal term for boys
fellas · guys · gentlemen · gents · masculinity · manhood · bachelors · fathers-to-be
Teenage developmental stage
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
- teenagerPerson aged thirteen-nineteen
- schoolboyMale student, typically young
- youngsterPerson of tender years
juvenile · teen · adolescent · puberty · minor · junior · growth · development
Mischievous troublemakers
- scampsPlayful troublemakers
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- prankstersThose who play jokes
- roguesDishonest or deviant individuals
imps · rapscallions · shenanigans · antics · tomfoolery · misbehavior · naughty · rowdy
sons
Male offspring collectively
lads · fellas · guys · gentlemen · gents · masculinity · manhood · bachelors · fathers-to-be · young men
adolescence
Teenage developmental stage
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
- teenagerPerson aged thirteen-nineteen
- schoolboyMale student, typically young
youngster · juvenile · teen · adolescent · puberty · minor · junior · growth · development · immaturity
rascals
Mischievous troublemakers
- scampsPlayful troublemakers
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- prankstersThose who play jokes
rogues · imps · rapscallions · shenanigans · antics · tomfoolery · misbehavior · naughty · rowdy · roughhousing
brotherhood
Kinship among men
- friendshipBond of mutual affection
- bondingForming close connections
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
gang · crew · squad · buddies · pals · mates · teammates · clubhouse · treehouse · pack
games
Organized competitive activities
- roughhousingRowdy physical play
- tagIdentifier or classifier
- wrestlingCombat sport requiring holds
climbing · sports · marbles · slingshots · frolic · energy · adventure · exploring · mud · bikes
- good boyPraise for obedient pet
- oh boyInterjection expressing excitement
- boys and girlsMale and female children
- baby boyYoung male child
- little boyYoung male child
- bad boyMale troublemaker