hoyden

noun

Definition of hoydennext
as in tomboy

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hoyden Rudeness is of course still frowned upon, and sometimes hoydens behaved in ways that are rude by today’s standards – a girl who pushed another out of her seat at school was a hoyden in 1865. — Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoyden
  1. tomboy
  2. pixie
  3. romp
  4. gamine
Noun
  • When rule-follower Ellie stumbles upon tomboy Ashley trapped in a Hot Topic at the mall, she becomes swept up into her world.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • In the present, Lara meets Mari, a sarcastic and blunt high school tomboy who competes as a boxer.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of tomboy
Noun
  • Just before the pandemic, Manhattan’s MCC Theater staged a show called All the Natalie Portmans, about a gay Black teenage cinephile who envisions the actor as a kind of manic pixie imaginary friend.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Pixie shag Somewhere between pixie and bixie lies this shaggy devil-may-care crop.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pixie
Noun
  • Which is the point when a nicely thrilling romp of a movie becomes a masterclass in how environmental survival really works.
    — Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Martial arts and supernatural horror collide in this romp of a buddy comedy.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of romp
Noun
  • More polished than a sandal (especially those of the flip-flop variety), loafers bring an unexpected attitude to dresses—on in Kendall Jenner’s case, an oversized button-up—with their gamine, preppy charm.
    — Christina Holevas, Vogue, 23 June 2026
  • The actors are all likeable enough, especially the gamine Demoustier, but they are stuck with limp material that’s more twee than captivating.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Definition of gamine

Browse Nearby Words

hoy
hoyden
hoydenish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoyden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoyden. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All