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

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

Investigators quickly identified her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy Harris, as a suspect. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Zach, for instance, is searching for a way to lock down Kayda without locking himself into being someone’s boyfriend, which Sincere agrees makes perfect sense. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 7 July 2026

Nina emerges, dazed but uninjured, her cellphone intact, her boyfriend Ben vanished. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

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