young man

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young man (plural young men)

1. 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.

2. (dated) A male lover; a sweetheart.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see young,‎ man.

   Synonym: (male) youth

• young lady