best boy

UK, US/ˈbɛstˌbɔɪ/

noun

The first assistant to either the key grip (in charge of camera placement and movement) or the gaffer (in charge of lighting and electrics).

Similar
second company gripassistant chief lighting technician
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Meanings

nounbest boy (plural best boys)

plural best boys · feminine best girl

  1. film productionThe first assistant to either the key grip (in charge of camera placement and movement) or the gaffer (in charge of lighting and electrics).
  2. slanglifestyleA reader or viewer's preferred male character.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
second company gripassistant chief lighting technician

Translations

Finnish valaistusteknikko, näyttämöteknikko
  • valaistusteknikkofilm jargon: first assistant to either the key grip or the gaffer
  • näyttämöteknikkofilm jargon: first assistant to either the key grip or the gaffer
French second électricien
  • second électricienfilm jargon: first assistant to either the key grip or the gaffer
Russian пе́рвый помо́щник главного электрика, помо́щник осветителя
  • пе́рвый помо́щник главного электрика (pérvyj pomóščnik glavnovo elektrika)film jargon: first assistant to either the key grip or the gaffer
  • помо́щник осветителя (pomóščnik osvetitelja)film jargon: first assistant to either the key grip or the gaffer
Cite this entry
APA

best boy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/best%20boy

MLA

“best boy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/best%20boy. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “best boy,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/best%20boy.

Source: best boy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.