boyish

Boyish is an English adjective describing qualities, appearance, or behaviors reminiscent of boys or young males. It is formed from the noun boy plus the suffix -ish, and its usage dates to the early modern period. The term can refer to physical attributes associated with youth, such as a lean or wiry build, or to mannerisms—playful energy, curiosity, or mischief—that evoke youthfulness. It may also describe clothing or aesthetics that imitate a youthful male style, producing a boyish look.

In positive contexts, boyish traits are associated with vitality and charm. In neutral contexts, it simply marks youthfulness. In negative contexts, it can imply immaturity or a lack of seriousness, especially when applied to adults. Because it explicitly connotes male youth, it carries gendered undertones, though it is widely used of people of any gender when describing style or vibe rather than biological sex.

Common collocations include boyish charm, boyish grin, boyish looks, and a boyish style or fashion. Related terms include girlish, youthful, childlike, and juvenile, which carry different connotations.

In cultural usage, "boyish" often appears in descriptions of characters who are clever, adventurous, or somewhat naive, and in fashion writing to describe styles that favor practical, androgynous silhouettes, short hair, and denim.