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nancyboy

(slang, derogatory, Commonwealth, Irish, UK) : an effeminate man, especially an effeminate homosexual.

ˈnæn.siˌbɔɪ187 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(slang, derogatory, Commonwealth, Irish, UK) : an effeminate man, especially an effeminate homosexual.

With Mum out of earshot, he continued: "I don't believe you did six girls. I think you're a liar. I think you're either a virgin or a nancyboy."
For parents

Nancyboy means: : an effeminate man, especially an effeminate homosexual.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

nancyboy means: : an effeminate man, especially an effeminate homosexual.. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: sexual_orientation
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For specific readers

Nancyboy means: : an effeminate man, especially an effeminate homosexual.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.

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