beau

noun

ˈbō 

plural beaux ˈbōz  or beaus

1

: dandy sense 1

2

: boyfriend sense 2

Synonyms

• boy
• boyfriend
• fellow
• man
• old man
• swain

Examples of beau in a Sentence

Her beaux between marriage generally fell into two categories: ineffectual pretty boys or handsome brutes. —Joanne Kaufman, People, 21 Mar. 1988

This was essentially the vehicle that had been perfected, through more than a century or two, for—and by—a continuing line of fops, beaux, macaronis, dudes, bucks, blades, swells, bloods and mashers. —Osbert Sitwell, The Scarlet Tree, 1975

She introduced us to her latest beau.

her new beau brought flowers when he picked her up for their first date

Recent Examples on the Web

In April 2023, Cruger shared a kissing selfie of her and her beau from their Easter celebration. —Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024

Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade of her life raising her half-sister, Tegan, after her mother disappears with her latest beau. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from beau, bel (masculine), belle (feminine) "beautiful, good-looking," going back to Old French bel, going back to Latin bellus, probably going back (via *duellos, assimilated from *duenlos) to *dwenelos, diminutive of *dwe-nos "good" (whence Old Latin duenos, Latin bonus) — more at bounty

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing beau

• beau geste
• beau ideal
• beau monde

Kids Definition

beau

noun

ˈbō 

plural beaux ˈbōz  or beaus

ˈbōz

: boyfriend sense 2

Etymology

from French beau "boyfriend," from beau (adjective) "fine, beautiful," derived from Latin bellus "pretty" — related to beauty, belle