noun
hoyden
HOY-dun/ˈhɔɪdən/
A boisterous, carefree girl or woman.
The young hoyden races through the yard, laughing and shouting.
Etymology
Hoyden first meant a rude, boorish fellow, then shifted to a boisterous young female. Its origin is uncertain, but the change preserved the idea of unruly behavior while changing whom it described.
More examples
- Her aunt remembers her as a hoyden who hated sitting still.
- The two hoydens splash each other until both are soaked.
- Even in a formal dress, she is still a hoyden.
Forms
hoyden · hoydens
hoydenish adjective — Boisterous and carefree in manner or behavior.
Similar words
- tomboy
- Emphasizes traditionally boyish interests rather than noisy, carefree behavior.
- hellion
- Describes a mischievous troublemaker of any gender, not necessarily carefree.