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

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.
Brianna, spotting her former boyfriend, Duncan (Ben Marshall), attempted to brush off the awkward encounter. Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026 Gloria said her ex-boyfriend had been following and harassing her. Paul Larosa, CBS News, 3 May 2026 But Andy wouldn’t be in touch with her college boyfriend. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 3 May 2026 Eva and her boyfriend, still in all-black servers’ uniforms, were meeting us after getting off their shifts at another of the casino’s many restaurants. Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Boyfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boyfriend. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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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