good old boy

noun

ˈgu̇d-ōl(d)-ˌbȯi How to pronounce good old boy (audio)
variants or good ol' boy or good ole boy
: a usually white Southerner who conforms to the values, culture, or behavior of his peers

Examples of good old boy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dylan would've been one of those good old boys in his overalls, in the coffee shop, chewing straw, drinking coffee. — Wendy Geller, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2023 The familiar scene of Confederate flags waved by fans at NASCAR tracks could soon be a relic of racing's good ol' boy roots. — CBS News, 10 June 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of good old boy was in 1882

Rhymes for good old boy

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Cite this Entry

“Good old boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/good%20old%20boy. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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