Principal boy refers to a leading male character in British pantomimes who traditionally is played by a young woman. There are several synonyms for the term principal boy depending on the context. In theatre, principal boy may be referred to as the hero, romantic lead, lead male, or male ingenue. In literature or storytelling, principal boy may be referred to as the protagonist, lead character, or main character. Other terms which may be used to describe characters similar to the principal boy are male lead, dashing hero, or gallant champion. Regardless of how you refer to them, these characters play a significant role in driving the narrative and captivating the audience.