boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend How to pronounce boyfriend (audio)
Synonyms of boyfriendnext
1
: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic or sexual relationship
2
usually boy friend dated : a friend who is a boy
often, specifically : a male friend from childhood
… was a boy friend of [Abraham] Lincoln in Kentucky … —Joseph Medill, quoted in McClure's Magazine

Synonyms of boyfriend

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Examples of boyfriend in a Sentence

My boyfriend and I have only been dating for a couple of months. her boyfriend always brings her flowers for Valentine's Day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026 Another poster shows Olivia embracing her boyfriend, Henry Focker (Skyler Gisondo), while his father, Greg Focker (Stiller), watches from the sidelines. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 Ever the supportive girlfriend, Kim Kardashian showed up in style at the Singapore Grand Prix this Sunday to cheer on her Formula 1 driver boyfriend Lewis Hamilton. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026 The woman’s boyfriend, an off-duty police officer, then placed Gonzalez in handcuffs, according to the statement. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boyfriend

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of boyfriend was in 1822

Rhymes for boyfriend

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Browse Nearby Words

Boyer
boyfriend
Boyg
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Cite this Entry

“Boyfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boyfriend. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

boyfriend

noun
boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend How to pronounce boyfriend (audio)
1
: a male friend
2
: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship
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