young man

See also: youngman

English

young man (plural young men)

A term of endearment or admonishment by adults for a young boy.
I can't understand you, young man. Can you point to which toy you want?
- 1985 November 28, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes (comic):
  That does it, young man! You are excused to your room!
- 2003 July 17, Tom Armstrong, Marvin (comic):
  Hey, young man... don't walk on the kitchen floor. I just mopped over there.
- 2004, Warren W. Evans, Corky, Peggy and the Goldfinch, page 82:
  “Now you listen to me, young man!” Mom pointed a finger straight into my face.
- 2004 September 21, Bill Amend, FoxTrot (comic):
  Hello, young man, I'm Quincy's mother. I decided to drop by to see how his adopted family is treating him.
(dated) A male lover; a sweetheart.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see young,‎ man.
Synonym: (male) youth

youth — see youth

term of address