Boys vs. Girls — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
Boys are male children; girls are female children. Boys and Girls serve as gender indicators in many languages and cultures.
Difference Between Boys and Girls
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boys, in the English language, specifically refers to young males. This term captures the essence of male children and is used in countless contexts to identify gender and age. Girls, on the other hand, is a term that signifies young females. Just like "boys", "girls" is an identifier for gender and age. Both Boys and Girls, as terms, play pivotal roles in differentiating between male and female offspring.
Boys often conveys an image of energy, mischief, or adventure, based on societal stereotypes. When someone mentions "boys", thoughts of playing in the mud, sports, or roughhousing might come to mind. Girls, in contrast, might be associated with dolls, dresses, or gentleness, again based on stereotypes. Both these associations for Boys and Girls, although rooted in societal norms, are evolving and becoming more fluid over time.
Boys and Girls serve as gender indicators in many languages and cultures. In the English language, when we hear "boys", we instantly think of more than one male child. Similarly, "girls" immediately brings to mind a group of female children. Their plural forms inherently mean more than one child of the respective gender.
When describing clothing, toys, or even behaviors, "boys" and "girls" are often used. For instance, "boys' toys" might traditionally mean action figures or cars, whereas "girls' toys" could imply dolls or tea sets. Yet, it's essential to note that in modern society, the distinction between what is for Boys and what is for Girls is becoming increasingly blurred.
Comparison Chart
Grammatical Gender
Masculine
Feminine
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Plural Form
Refers to multiple male children
Refers to multiple female children
Possessive Form
Boys' (e.g., boys' shoes)
Girls' (e.g., girls' dresses)
Typical Pronoun
He (singular), They (plural)
She (singular), They (plural)
Common Stereotypes
Active, rough, adventurous
Gentle, nurturing, delicate
Compare with Definitions
Boys
A group belonging to a particular category.
The boys in blue responded quickly to the incident.
Girls
Daughters.
They have two beautiful girls.
Boys
Male children.
The boys played soccer after school.
Girls
Female children.
The girls had a sleepover last night.
Boys
A way to address a group, regardless of gender.
Hey boys, gather around for the announcement.
Girls
A term used to refer to female friends.
The girls are going out for brunch.
Boys
A term used to refer to male friends.
The boys are meeting up for a drink tonight.
Girls
A group belonging to a particular category.
The gossip girls always know the latest news.
Boys
A male child.
Girls
A way to address a group, regardless of gender.
Okay girls, listen up!
Boys
A son
His youngest boy.
Girls
A female child.
Boys
Often Offensive A man, especially a young man.
Girls
A daughter
Our youngest girl.
Boys
(Informal) A man socializing in a group of men
A night out with the boys.
Girls
Often Offensive A woman.
Boys
(Offensive) A male servant or employee.
Girls
A woman socializing with a group of women
A night out with the girls.
Boys
Used to express mild astonishment, elation, or disgust
Oh boy—what a surprise!.
Girls
Used as a familiar form of address to express support of or camaraderie with a woman.
Boys
Plural of boy
Girls
(Informal) A female sweetheart
Cadets escorting their girls to the ball.
Boys
(slang) The testicles.
Girls
(Offensive) A female servant or employee.
Boys
Sons.
She has three boys and one daughter.
Girls
Plural of girl
Girls
(slang) A woman's breasts.
Common Curiosities
What about the singular form of "girls"?
It's "girl".
Can "boys" be used to address a mixed-gender group?
Informally, yes, but it's becoming less common due to inclusivity concerns.
Is "girls" only used for children?
No, it can also colloquially refer to adult women among friends.
What's the singular form of "boys"?
The singular form is "boy".
Are "Boys" and "Girls" capitalized in sentences?
No, unless they start a sentence or are part of a proper noun.
Can "boys" and "girls" be adjectives?
Not traditionally, but in contexts like "boys' toys" or "girls' clothes", they function like adjectives.
Are there synonyms for "boys" and "girls"?
Yes, "lads" for boys and "lassies" or "gals" for girls, though context matters.
Are there other terms in English for young males and females?
"Youth" or "youngster" can be used, but they're gender-neutral.
Is it correct to say "boys and girls" or "girls and boys"?
Both are correct, but "boys and girls" is more common.
Is "girl" ever used in a professional setting to describe adult women?
It's generally considered informal and possibly disrespectful, depending on the context.
How do we differentiate between adult males/females and boys/girls in English?
Adults are usually referred to as "men" and "women", while "boys" and "girls" typically refer to children.
How do I indicate possession with "boys" and "girls"?
Use an apostrophe: "boys'" and "girls'".
Are "boy" and "girl" always related to age?
Mostly, but they can also refer to immaturity or naivety in some contexts.
Can "boys" and "girls" be used in a non-binary context?
Traditionally no, but language is evolving, and context is key.
How are "boys" and "girls" used in terms of relationships?
Phrases like "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" denote romantic partners, often irrespective of age.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
