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.
Her boyfriend Eric Lopez looked at her, making a thumbs-up sign with both hands, which made her laugh. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026 Nina emerges, dazed but uninjured, her cellphone intact, her boyfriend Ben vanished. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 Originally from The Netherlands, van Eijk donned a Ghana jersey for her boyfriend’s team. — Eleanor Nash july 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 Walker was abducted, raped, tortured and murdered after attending a Valentine’s Day dance with her boyfriend. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 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 10 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on boyfriend

Nglish: Translation of boyfriend for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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