tomboy
Tree-climbing young miss
A tomboy is a girl who enjoys activities, clothing, or behaviors traditionally associated with boys—climbing trees, playing rough sports, rejecting dresses.
The term carries mild approval or neutrality, suggesting spirited independence rather than transgression: She was a tomboy who preferred building forts to playing with dolls.
As gender norms shift, the word appears less frequently.
Resembling a young lad
- gamineBoyish, playful young woman
- androgynousNeither distinctly male nor female
- roughhousingRowdy physical play
- climbingAscending by physical effort
scrapes · bruises · mud · dirt · rambunctious · energetic · adventurous · outdoorsy
Departing from standard practice
- independentFree from external control
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- unladylikeBreaching feminine propriety norms
gender-nonconforming · maverick · free-spirited · individualist · boundary-pushing · unapologetic
Adventurous courage
- fearlessLacking any apprehension
- braveShowing courage despite fear
- adventurousInclined toward risky endeavors
- gutsyInformally courageous
plucky · spirited · courageous · intrepid · risk-taker · thrill-seeker · unafraid · confident
Casual denim trousers
- sneakersCasual athletic footwear
- shortsAbbreviated lower garments
- t-shirtsCollarless casual pullovers
- overallsTrousers with bib front
hoodies · flannel · pants · ponytail · practical · comfortable · unisex · hand-me-downs
Physically strong and active
- soccerField sport with goals
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
- baseballBat-and-ball team sport
- softballVariant with larger ball
running · skateboarding · cycling · swimming · track · gymnastics · competitive · batting
boyish
Resembling a young lad
- gamineBoyish, playful young woman
- androgynousNeither distinctly male nor female
- roughhousingRowdy physical play
climbing · scrapes · bruises · mud · dirt · rambunctious · energetic · adventurous · outdoorsy · spirited
unconventional
Departing from standard practice
- independentFree from external control
- defiantOpenly resisting control
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
unladylike · gender-nonconforming · maverick · free-spirited · individualist · boundary-pushing · unapologetic
daring
Adventurous courage
- fearlessLacking any apprehension
- braveShowing courage despite fear
- adventurousInclined toward risky endeavors
gutsy · plucky · spirited · courageous · intrepid · risk-taker · thrill-seeker · unafraid · confident · assertive
jeans
Casual denim trousers
overalls · hoodies · flannel · pants · ponytail · practical · comfortable · unisex · hand-me-downs · boots
athletic
Physically strong and active
- soccerField sport with goals
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
- baseballBat-and-ball team sport
softball · running · skateboarding · cycling · swimming · track · gymnastics · competitive · batting · catching
- femaleswoman, girl, lady, mother, daughter
- female archetypesfemme fatale, ingenue, diva, leading lady, girl next door
- gender stereotypesboys will be boys, pink for girls, blue for boys, man up, strong men
- anime tropesyandere, magical girl, catgirl, cat girl, chibi
- fashion stylescasual wear, bohemian, formal wear, preppy, romantic
- girlsgirl, lass, lassie, miss, missy
tomboyshrinking violet
Extremely timid person
wallflower · prim and proper · dainty · demure · ladylike