What does tomboyish mean?
Tomboyish is an informal adjective for someone—most often a girl—whose clothing, behavior, interests, or appearance are traditionally associated with boys. It can suggest being energetic, adventurous, sporty, or straightforward, but the word also rests on an older binary idea of masculinity and femininity, so its tone may sound dated or judgmental. In contemporary use, “boyish” is often a more neutral choice for a quality such as playful independence, while “gender-nonconforming” may be more suitable when the point is a mismatch with social expectations about gender. Because “tomboyish” carries these cultural assumptions, speakers should consider context and the feelings of the person described. It remains useful as a label for recognizable, culturally defined behavior or style, provided it is not used to suggest that a girl is naturally less feminine or less acceptable. The related noun “tomboy” names a person regarded as displaying such traits. Overall, the word offers a vivid historical description but requires more care than many modern descriptive adjectives.
adjectiveHaving the appearance, behavior, clothing, or manner traditionally associated with a boy; boyish or masculine.
- Having traits such as clothing, behavior, interests, or appearance that are traditionally associated with boys.
"Her tomboyish style and confident manner distinguished her from the other girls in the class."
"He wore a tomboyish outfit that combined a loose shirt with practical trousers."
"Her tomboyish confidence made her an excellent athlete and a natural team leader."
Tomboyish is built from “tomboy,” but the gentler “boyish” often does the job without the old gender assumptions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tomboyish come from?
The adjective tomboyish was formed in English by adding the suffix -ish to the older word tomboy. Tomboy is attested from the early 17th century, although its precise origin remains uncertain. The related noun tomboyism denotes tomboy-like behavior or character.
Related word forms
How tomboyish is actually used
This is an informal and somewhat dated word whose meaning depends on traditional expectations about masculinity and femininity. It may sound judgmental or sexist when used to imply that a girl is inherently abnormal or deficient in femininity. “Boyish” is often a more neutral alternative, while “gender-nonconforming” may be preferable when describing a mismatch with social gender expectations.
Easily confused with tomboyish
Tomboy is a noun naming a person regarded as displaying conventionally masculine traits, whereas tomboyish is the adjective describing those traits.