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
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
The Friends actress shared a rare photo of her boyfriend on her Instagram Stories on February 14.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Bomi, 23, who entered seeking his first boyfriend, found his idealized notions challenged.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Her boyfriend, Connor Watkins, proposed to her at the bottom of the Cortina slope.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boyfriend
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.
Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Bomi, 23, who entered seeking his first boyfriend, found his idealized notions challenged.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Her boyfriend, Connor Watkins, proposed to her at the bottom of the Cortina slope.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boyfriend
Cite this Entry
“Boyfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boyfriend. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boyfriend
noun
boy·friend
ˈbȯi-ˌfrend
1
: a male friend
2
: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
