boy shorts: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal; Fashion/Commerce
Quick answer
What does “boy shorts” mean?
A style of women's underwear with a short leg that resembles men's boxer briefs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of women's underwear with a short leg that resembles men's boxer briefs.
Any garment, such as sleep shorts or swimwear, designed in a similar style with a waistband and a loose-fitting, short leg opening. The term is also used in fashion to describe a particular cut or silhouette.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. British English might also use 'boy leg' or 'boyleg shorts' as an alternative. American English uses 'boy shorts' more uniformly.
Connotations
Implies comfort, coverage, and a casual, sporty, or retro style. No significant connotative difference between varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in fashion/lingerie contexts in both regions. More frequent in marketing and retail than in general everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “boy shorts” in a Sentence
[Someone] wears [boy shorts].[Boy shorts] are made of [material].[Adjective] [boy shorts]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boy shorts” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [N/A as a verb]
American English
- [N/A as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [N/A as an adverb]
American English
- [N/A as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [N/A as a standard adjective. Can be used attributively as in 'boy-short style'.]
American English
- [N/A as a standard adjective. Can be used attributively as in 'boy-short style'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, fashion design, marketing, and e-commerce product descriptions.
Academic
Rare, except in studies of fashion history, design, or cultural studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, shopping for underwear, or describing personal style.
Technical
Used in pattern-making, garment specification, and lingerie design.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boy shorts”
- Using 'boy shorts' to refer to shorts for young boys (the intended meaning is almost always women's underwear).
- Treating it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a boy short' is non-standard; it's 'a pair of boy shorts' or 'boy shorts').
- Misspelling as 'boyshorts' (while common in branding, the standard dictionary form is two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term 'boy shorts' specifically denotes a style of women's underwear. Men wear similar styles called 'boxer briefs' or 'trunks'.
No. Boxer shorts are a loose, traditional men's underwear style. Boy shorts are a more fitted, shorter-legged style designed for women, though inspired by the silhouette of men's briefs.
It is a very common commercial and branding spelling, but the standard lexical form found in dictionaries is the two-word compound 'boy shorts'.
They are often favoured for providing more coverage and comfort around the hips and thighs compared to bikini briefs or thongs, while maintaining a stylish look.
A style of women's underwear with a short leg that resembles men's boxer briefs.
Boy shorts is usually informal; fashion/commerce in register.
Boy shorts: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɔɪ ʃɔːts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɔɪ ʃɔrts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the garment term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the comfortable, short shorts that a boy might wear for sports, but designed as stylish women's underwear.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENDER CROSSING FOR COMFORT/STYLE (A masculine-associated style applied to a feminine garment implies borrowed practicality or a relaxed aesthetic).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'boy shorts' MOST appropriately used?