About the word 'homeboy' !

1. Yeah, homegirl for girls. 2. Not really? homeboy/homegirl is platonic. 3. No, homeboy/homegirl just means "one of my best friends" You can also say "homie" for boys and girls, it's the same thing. Edit: Platonic, not non-platonic sorry

The word homeboy has evolved from original definition of "a boy from your hometown". Yes, homegirl is a word. You can also kind of call your lover your homeboy. It also doesn't necessarily have to refer to someone from your hometown (originally yes, but again the word has evolvedto be quite a bit more flexible), it's just someone you're close with.

Has nothing to do with your hometown in actual usage. It’s just what “homie” is short for and it just means “friend” or “bro”

Be careful though. While it may have migrated to use by everybody, it’s really associated with Black and Latino cultures. I’ve never heard a white person use it unironically. And a non-white, non-native English speaker could sound a bit cringe.

yes there can be homegirls homegirls/homeboys are just friends, do not call a significant other ur homeboy or homegirl no they dont have to be from ur hometown, ive never heard of that. homeboy and homegirl are just ur friends.

We don't use that phrase in British English.

Unless you have a friend who uses it in their dialect, do not use homeboy. Even then be aware of the context you’re in. I would suggest the casual and unmarked “dude” or “bro/bruh”

I definitely hear “homie” used more often than specifically “homeboy” or “homegirl.” Ex. “Hanging out, playing video games with my homies.” It originally referred to people from your hometown, but now is pretty interchangeable with “buddy,” “pal,” or “bro.” Just someone you’re close to. I can’t think of a circumstance where I’ve heard “homeboy/girl” refer to a romantic relationship. In fact, kind of the opposite. Look up the “kissing your homies goodnight” meme.

I think you've gotten some good answers already. Let me offer you some helpful context that is clear to native speakers of US English. "Homeboy" is from Black English, sometimes called AAVE. It literally means someone from your home -- maybe your home town, or your home neighborhood in a big city. Homegirl is a word with the same meaning. "Homie" (pronounced "home-y") is a shortened version of "Homeboy." "Holmes" is another word used in the same way. Over time, the meaning has broadened, and someone might call a friend of any sort a homeboy. Or, they might refer to a stranger as "homie," to be an informal and welcoming way to greet them as if they are a close friend. Or, as in your example above, someone might say "homeboy's got a Garmin!" referring to themselves, as if to imply, "even though we're strangers, I think of myself as your friend." In many, many ways, big and small, Black English/AAVE has had a huge effect on mainstream English. And, the word "homeboy" is so common that even my elderly grandfather knows what it means. However -- here is a key distinction that you might not understand as a non-native speaker: I'm a white guy from the suburbs. To put it plainly, if I were to call a person "homeboy" myself, it would seem strange to many native speakers, because I did not grow up in Black American culture. It's hard to explain why this is, but it is a subtle but important reality that affects every word from Black English differently. Some words I avoid saying, other words I would never say aloud under any circumstances -- but the overall point is that using words from that culture, when you didn't grow up in that culture, is often seen as weird. In general, my advice for English learners who didn't grow up in Black American culture should understand the words and language of Black English/AAVE. But speaking it yourself can come across as awkward and culturally clueless, and I'd avoid it unless you feel sure you're using it correctly, context included. (I bet some people will downvote this and say, "language is free, you should be able to say whatever you want!" Sure. No one is stopping you. But, to the native English speakers among you, I'd offer: try to tell me that if dorky white me walks around like "Yo holmes wassgood? This guy here? This guy here's my homeboy, dawg!" to everyone people will be like, "yeah, that seems cool and normal.") Anyway, my advice is: if you didn't grow up using this word, it might be awkward if you choose to use it.

There are homegirls You can say you’re in love with your homeboy It’s really just a long-time friend, like from childhood, doesn’t strictly have to be from hometown, but usually

Homeboy can also mean someone in the same criminal gang.

and homeboy is a good or even close or even best friend not just an “acquaintance from your hometown”, I usually hear that about people that people are close with regardless of where they’re from

Homeboy means friend

It comes from AAVE. From what I know: 1. Homegirls exist. “Homies” neutral to masculine 2. Yes. He is your friend, but you also love him. 3. Does not technically need to be same hometown. When properly used yes they do, but also it’s okay if you’re being extremely casual in talking abt them or perhaps contemptuous a little. A bro is not your brother for example. Similarly you might call a stranger bro if you’re telling a story about what they did

In the UK, I would say we recognise the terms more than use them. They're not embedded in the culture but increasingly familiar from cultural imports (and possibly naturalised with subtle differences in pockets of the population). I wouldn't productively offer up "homeboy" or "homegirl", but I have been known to talk whimsically about hanging with my homies (possibly even in the 'hood), when referring to middle-aged, middle-class people going to a relaxed poetry night in a pub. (In the next sentence, I might refer to the same group/event as comrades meeting up for our next meeting to change the world. Both are words I can only use ironically or in character/jest in a context where that would be understood.)

If you are learning English, then please put this on your list of words never to say. It's trash slang for people from the ghetto, that has made its way into the vocabulary of normal people, I guess at first because it seemed funny and ironic for them to use it also. There's hundreds of words/phrases like this in fact, all similar degrees of embarrassing. The best thing that a foreigner can do while learning a new language, is to not fall into all the disgusting habits that the natives exhibit that just make them look ridiculous and uneducated.

homeboy, homegirl, or homie is just a slang way of referring to a good friend or pal. It is not normally used for a love interest. And since it stems from black and latino American culture, it is only primarily used from those cultures. White people can and do use it, and it's not exactly offensive, but sometimes can be seen as mocking or awkward.

Sorry, but > "my mother married her homeboy"  😂😂😂💀 Not sure why but this is one of the funniest sentences I've ever read.