boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend 

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

• beau
• boy
• husband

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

After giving birth to her fourth baby, her first with boyfriend Stefon Diggs, the rapper, 33, decided to commemorate her birth by casting a piece of her umbilical cord into gold chrome. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

Nina was in the lot behind him, Nina’s boyfriend a few feet to the left. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

The photos showed Candyce in high school, smiling big at the camera with different boyfriends, modeling clothing, and sitting in her favorite tree. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 24 Nov. 2025

Madison Beer recently made her first official appearance with boyfriend Justin Herbert, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers. —Zoe Guy, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for boyfriend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend
• descend

Kids Definition

boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend 

1

: a male friend

2

: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship